Clemson Lands Notre Dame Guard Cole Certa Through Transfer Portal

The Tigers add a key perimeter scoring threat to bolster their backcourt.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:54pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the abstract forms of basketball players in motion, using vibrant blue, orange, and green shapes to capture the dynamic energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic action and energy of a college basketball game, reflecting the transfer portal move that brings a key scoring threat to Clemson's backcourt.Bloomington Today

Notre Dame rising junior guard Cole Certa has announced his commitment to transfer to Clemson, giving the Tigers a much-needed scoring boost in the backcourt. Certa, a 6-5 guard, averaged 12.8 points per game last season and shot 36.7% from 3-point range, emerging as a three-level scorer for the Fighting Irish.

Why it matters

Clemson struggled with perimeter shooting and backcourt scoring at times last season, so the addition of Certa, who can play either small forward or shooting guard, should help address those issues. His ability to score efficiently from all three levels will be a valuable asset for the Tigers as they look to improve on their NCAA Tournament appearance.

The details

Certa evolved over the course of the 2022-23 season, transitioning from a 3-point specialist to a more well-rounded scorer. In Notre Dame's final 11 games, he averaged 19.5 points per game, including three 30-point performances. Beating out programs like Louisville for Certa's commitment is a significant recruiting win for Clemson head coach Brad Brownell as he looks to reshape the Tigers' roster through the transfer portal.

  • Certa announced his commitment to Clemson on April 12, 2026.
  • He played the last two seasons at Notre Dame, where he averaged 12.8 points per game in 2022-23.

The players

Cole Certa

A 6-5, 205-pound rising junior guard who is transferring from Notre Dame to Clemson. Certa emerged as a three-level scorer for the Fighting Irish last season, averaging 12.8 points per game and shooting 36.7% from 3-point range.

Brad Brownell

The head coach of the Clemson men's basketball team, who has landed Certa as a key transfer portal addition to bolster the Tigers' backcourt.

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What they’re saying

“Certa is a compelling solution that changes the complexion of Clemson's backcourt as either a small forward or shooting guard.”

— Paul Strelow, Author

What’s next

Certa will join the Clemson roster for the 2023-24 season and is expected to compete for a starting role in the Tigers' backcourt alongside returning players like Zac Foster and Ace Buckner.

The takeaway

The addition of Cole Certa through the transfer portal is a significant win for Clemson, as the Tigers look to improve their perimeter scoring and shooting after struggling in those areas last season. Certa's ability to score efficiently from all three levels should provide a valuable boost to the Clemson offense.