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Head coach Brad Brownell knows much of the attention surrounding Clemson’s 2026-27 basketball team centers on the new faces. New transfers, talented freshmen, a revamped coaching staff, and an overseas summer tour have created plenty of intrigue as they begin preparations for another season with NCAA Tournament aspirations.
The Tigers are coming off a 24-11 season in 2025-26, finishing 12-6 in the ACC and earning their third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth under Brownell.
Speaking Wednesday, Brownell said Clemson’s upcoming 10-day exhibition trip to Italy, which begins July 27, will provide an invaluable opportunity for a roster filled with newcomers to grow together away from the basketball court.
“On that trip, we're trying to have a good experience,” Brownell said. “I just think that's more important. We want to spend time together, get to know each other, have fun together, laugh, and learn a few things. It'll be great. And I'm really excited to see how this team interacts with one another, so far they've been great, a lot of fun, and guys [are] excited to be here.”
Among the newcomers are transfers Cole Certa (Notre Dame), Dylan Faulkner (Samford), David Fuchs (San Francisco), and versatile forward Liutauras Lelevicius (TCU). Clemson also welcomed freshmen Harris Reynolds, Amare James, and Will Stevens.
As Clemson prepares for Italy, injuries will limit several key players.
Center Carter Welling continues his recovery after tearing his ACL during Clemson’s ACC Tournament game against Wake Forest. Point guard Ace Buckner is sidelined with a shoulder injury, while combo guard Zac Foster remains on the mend after suffering a torn ACL against South Carolina on Dec. 16, 2025.
Brownell had hoped Foster might be available for portions of the Italy trip, but that now appears unlikely.
“He's doing well, a little slower, maybe than we would like,” Brownell said. “I was hoping that he was going to be able to play some in Italy, but I think right now maybe it looks like he won't. He's shooting. He's jumping. He's running in a straight line. He's got a brace and is starting to do more in terms of cutting and all the things that you need to do. He's progressing nicely, no major setbacks, but he's not like ahead of schedule or anything like that either.”
With Buckner and Foster unavailable, Clemson’s guards are receiving valuable developmental opportunities.
Few players have benefited more than Reynolds, the highly regarded freshman ranked No. 90 nationally in the 2026 recruiting class. Brownell said Reynolds has taken advantage of the extra repetitions and responsibility.
“He's off to a good start,” Brownell said. “He's getting a tremendous amount of reps and opportunity because of the injuries to the other players.
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“So far, I've liked what I've seen in terms of not just basic talent and all those kinds of things. We knew that he was fast, athletic, and could make shots but he's been a good listener... He's really good.”
Reynolds, Certa, Dallas Thomas, and James are likely expected to handle much of the ball-handling duties throughout the summer, with Reynolds and Certa likely serving as the primary initiators of the offense.
Brownell has also been impressed by what he has seen from Certa, the 6-foot-5 junior who closed last season at Notre Dame by scoring 30 or more points three times in an 11-game stretch.
“I think he's super excited to be here, eager, but I really like what he brings from an experience standpoint, a confidence standpoint,” Brownell said. “He's a guy that wants to take big shots, and you can sense it when you're around him, and his work ethic has been great."
As Brownell evaluates the roster heading into next season, he sees a team built much differently than the one Clemson fielded a year ago. Last season’s success was anchored by an experienced frontcourt featuring RJ Godfrey, Welling, and Nick Davidson, a trio that allowed the Tigers to physically wear down opponents over the course of games.
This year, however, the identity may shift to the perimeter.
“I think our strength of this year's team may be our perimeter, the guards that we talked about,” Brownell said. “But it's hard to tell with them being injured and then it's I think Dylan Faulkner and David Fuchs, and some of our young big guys.
“I do think our team this year with Cole and LT [Liutauras], we have more shooting. So, I do think we'll be able to space the floor, have more shooters on the floor than maybe last year consistently, and hopefully put pressure or open lanes for our speedy guards to drive.”
The summer months will play a critical role in shaping Clemson’s outlook for next season. While Welling is not expected to be available at the start of the year -- Brownell acknowledged that a redshirt season remains a possibility for the senior center -- the Tigers are optimistic about the recoveries of Buckner and Foster.
