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The final buzzer at Colonial Life Arena still lingers for Shawn Poppie.
Clemson's 71-67 overtime loss to Southern California in the first round of the NCAA tournament ended one of the program's most successful seasons in recent memory, but the effects of that night have continued to impact the Tigers' future months later.
"So in that moment, right, there's a lot of emotion. We were so close," Poppie said last week, speaking before the start of summer workouts which began on Monday. "But then as the portal season opens, the amount of calls that came to us because of how much attention that game got."
Clemson finished 21-12 overall and 11-7 in ACC play, highlighted by a dramatic Senior Day upset of No. 9 Duke and the program's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2019.
"I do think it really put a stamp on Clemson women's basketball and the Duke win wasn't just a one-off, like we were a really good basketball team and program."
That momentum proved critical considering the Lady Tigers entered the offseason with only one returning starter in senior forward Rusne Augustinaite, who averaged 10.6 points with 29 starts.
Instead of rebuilding, Clemson aggressively retooled.
Poppie assembled the nation's No. 14 transfer class, adding 5'8 Mackenzie Nelson (Va. Tech), 6'1 Taliyah Henderson (UNC), 6'4 Edie Clarke (St. Mary's), 6'5 Yakiya Milton (USC), and 6'3 Jenna Lawrence (Arkansas).
The additions addressed the team’s needs.
"We've gotten longer at every single position by multiple inches," Poppie said. "We had some holes we had to fill, and a mixture of these players gives us immediate contributors while also helping our younger players develop."
Finding the right fit
"I think you kind of look for some people that feel like a family," Nelson said to the media on June 17, explaining why she chose Clemson. "It's a quick process. You're looking to see what fits you and fits you quickly."
Henderson's journey was more complicated.
The former five-star prospect suffered a right meniscus tear as a junior in high school, had an ACL injury before her senior year, and averaged just 10.3 minutes as a freshman for the Tarheels.
"When I came on my visit here, Coach Poppie and the coaches reassured me that I was the player that I thought I was before all the adversity hit," stated Henderson as she sat beside Nelson. The British Columbia native is currently off campus training for the Canadian Senior National team.
"It was really nice to feel wanted and needed."
Nelson, a point guard, arrives after posting the ACC's best assist-to-turnover ratio at 6.00, which ranked second nationally.
"Coming from the ACC, I've seen Clemson play and scouted against them," Nelson said. "The style of play is perfect for me — getting up and down the court. Coach Poppie talked about that from the beginning, and I think it's a great way to play basketball."
Henderson sees bigger goals
Henderson said Clemson's chemistry during last season's run stood out while she watched from afar.
"You could tell throughout the year they got closer and closer together," she noted. "If you can do that in a building program where everybody leans in and trusts each other and you get those results, imagine what it's like when people come in who want that too.
"I went to the Sweet 16," continued Henderson, who logged four minutes in UNC's 63-42 loss to No. 1 seed Connecticut. "I want to go there again. I'm trying to go higher than that."
Elite freshmen arrive
Poppie's momentum on the recruiting trail also produced the highest-ranked signing class in school history, ranked No. 9 nationally by 247Sports and No. 13 by ESPN.
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The third-year coach believes the blend of experienced transfers, five returning players, and freshmen, Kimora Fields (6'1), Meeyah Green (5'8), Julia Scott (6'3), and Dyarri Braddick (6'6), gives Clemson greater versatility and size than any roster he has coached.
The biggest remaining question involves Mia Moore. Will the NCAA grant her another year?
Last season, the senior led the team in scoring (13.1 points), assists (4.7), and steals (1.3) and averaged 20.9 ppg over the last seven games. Although the NCAA denied her initial request for a sixth season, Moore remains on campus and plans to appeal. She currently cannot participate in team activities.
