Clemson Basketball Hosting ACC Sharpshooter This Weekend

Notre Dame transfer Cole Certa could provide much-needed perimeter scoring for the Tigers.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:36pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a basketball player's jump shot, with the player's face and jersey obscured by the overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.Clemson's pursuit of a high-scoring transfer guard reflects the program's need to add perimeter firepower for the upcoming season.South Bend Today

Clemson is hosting Notre Dame transfer Cole Certa, a sharpshooting guard who averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 36.7% from three-point range last season for the Fighting Irish. Certa is a key target for the Tigers as they look to add more perimeter scoring to their roster.

Why it matters

Clemson hasn't had a high-volume three-point shooter like Certa since Joseph Girard III, who was a key piece in the team's Elite Eight run a few seasons ago. Adding Certa could provide a major boost to the Tigers' offense and help them compete in the tough ACC.

The details

Certa, a sophomore from Le Roy, Illinois, entered the transfer portal on April 6 after averaging 12.8 points per game and shooting 36.7% from three for Notre Dame last season. He had several big games for the Irish, including 37 points with seven threes against Georgia Tech and 32 points with six threes in an overtime win against NC State. While he struggled against Clemson earlier this season, scoring just 8 points, his ability to consistently shoot the three-ball is an enticing skill set for the Tigers.

  • Certa entered the transfer portal on April 6, 2026.
  • Certa is visiting Clemson's campus this weekend.

The players

Cole Certa

A sophomore guard who averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 36.7% from three-point range for Notre Dame last season.

Brad Brownell

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers basketball team, who is looking to add more perimeter shooting to his roster.

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What’s next

Certa has also drawn interest from Louisville, Marquette, and DePaul, so Clemson will need to make a strong impression during his campus visit this weekend to try and secure his commitment.

The takeaway

Clemson's addition of a proven ACC sharpshooter like Cole Certa could be a game-changer for their offense next season, providing the team with a much-needed perimeter scoring threat to complement their inside presence.