Despite the loss of starters Adam Allenspach and Will Solomon, Clemson is confident that its returning players and five incoming freshman have what it takes to make the Tigers a threat in the ACC. The loss of Solomon, who led Clemson in scoring with 19.7 points per game last year, creates an opportunity for any one of Clemson's talented players to step forward and enter the spotlight.
The incoming freshmen are likely to do just that. "This class is a talented class and I would be surprised if two or three of them did not step up and start" coach Larry Shyatt said. Two of the freshmen, Chey Christie and Sharrod Ford, represented the United States in the Global Games in Dallas, Texas last July. Christie averaged 15 points per game, had a 61% three point shooting average, and was named to the all-tournament team.
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| COURTESY CLEMSON MEDIA RELATIONS |
"Sharrod Ford and Chey Christie are really advanced for being freshmen. They are playing more like juniors and seniors," guard Edward Scott said.
However, if the freshmen wish to start they face tough competition in the nine returning lettermen. Sophomores Tony Stockman and Chris Hobbs were named to the ACC All-Freshman team. Stockman averaged 12 points per game and made 75 three pointers, the second highest on the team in both categories. He led ACC freshmen in scoring, shot 83.6 percent from the free throw line, and had a team high 44 steals. Hobbs led ACC freshmen in rebounding, averaging 6.3 rebounds per game and one rebound per 3 minutes of playing time.
Shyatt has placed his hopes for continued leadership in Scott, a 6-0 junior point guard who has been named the Tiger's new team captain. This marks the first time in history that Shyatt has named a captain during the preseason. Ed Scott has high expectations of his team, saying "we feel that we can make the postseason. But at the moment we want to set our goals game by game. Hopefully at the end it will work out that we can make it there." Scott has started in all 30 games, leading the team in assists with 127 and shooting 82.1 percent from the foul line.
Clemson recently feared the loss of sophomore forward Dwon Clifton, who was initially believed to have Long QT Syndrome after a fainting episode during preseason training. This syndrome can cause cardiac arrest, a risk which would have marked the end of Clifton's competitive basketball career. A second opinion at Emory Hospital attributed the fainting spell to extreme fatigue and dehydration, with doctors subsequently giving Clifton the green light to return to practice immediately. "I've got all the confidence in the world Dwon's going to come back and be a more balanced person, maybe even a better player because of this," Shyatt said. Clifton had started 17 games his freshman year.
Overall, Clemson is optimistic about the upcoming season. "I will promise you we are better [than last year]" Shyatt said. "We are aggressive. We have as many freshmen and sophomores that are talented as anyone in this league"
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