Clemson Basketball Lands First Transfer Commitment of 2026 Offseason

Notre Dame guard Cole Certa commits to the Tigers, bringing ACC experience to Clemson's backcourt.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements and energy of a basketball game, with vibrant colors and overlapping shapes representing the sport's fast-paced action.Certa's sharp-shooting skills will add a new dimension to Clemson's offense as the Tigers look to build on their recent success.Notre Dame Today

Clemson Tigers head coach Brad Brownell has landed his first transfer commitment of the 2026 offseason, securing the services of Notre Dame guard Cole Certa. Certa, who has two years of eligibility remaining, was the Fighting Irish's top perimeter shooter last season, averaging 12.8 points per game and connecting on 36.7% of his three-point attempts.

Why it matters

Certa's addition provides Clemson with an experienced ACC guard who can immediately contribute as a floor-spacing shooter. The Tigers had openings in their backcourt after the departures of Butta Johnson and Jake Wahlin, and Certa's proven ability to win games with his outside shooting will be a valuable asset for Brownell's squad.

The details

Certa entered the transfer portal with a 'do not contact' tag, but ultimately chose Clemson over other suitors like Marquette and DePaul. The 6'3" guard started 16 of Notre Dame's 31 games last season, and was instrumental in the team's ACC wins over Georgia Tech and NC State, scoring 37 and 32 points respectively in those victories.

  • Certa committed to Clemson on Sunday, April 12, 2026, after visiting the campus over the weekend.
  • The transfer portal window opened on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, following the national championship game.

The players

Cole Certa

A 6'3" guard who spent the last two seasons at Notre Dame, where he emerged as the team's top perimeter shooter, averaging 12.8 points per game and connecting on 36.7% of his three-point attempts.

Brad Brownell

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers, who has landed Certa as his first transfer commitment of the 2026 offseason.

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What’s next

Brownell and the Clemson coaching staff will continue to be active in the transfer portal, looking to fill their remaining four roster spots with additional frontcourt pieces and potentially another veteran presence in the backcourt.

The takeaway

Certa's commitment provides Clemson with an immediate scoring boost and proven ACC experience, as the Tigers look to build on their recent success and compete for a conference title in the 2026-27 season.