Clemson Proves 'True Team' Possible in NIL/Transfer Era

Tigers make ACC Tournament semifinals without a single All-ACC player

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:33pm

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Despite not having a single player named to the All-ACC Men's Basketball Team, Clemson's 24-10 record and run to the ACC Tournament semifinals shows that a 'true team' can still succeed in the NIL and transfer portal era, according to head coach Brad Brownell.

Why it matters

Clemson's success this season without a standout star player challenges the notion that the NIL and transfer portal have made it impossible for true team-oriented programs to thrive in college basketball.

The details

Clemson made the ACC Tournament semifinals, beating Wake Forest and North Carolina before falling to top-seeded Duke. The Tigers are a lock for the NCAA Tournament, marking their third straight appearance, despite not having a single player named to the All-ACC First, Second or Third Teams.

  • Clemson's 24-10 record and ACC Tournament run came during the 2025-26 season.
  • The 2025-26 All-ACC Men's Basketball Team was announced this past Monday.
  • Clemson lost to Duke, 73-61, in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday night.

The players

RJ Godfrey

Clemson senior forward who was named to the All-ACC Honorable Mention team.

Brad Brownell

Clemson's head men's basketball coach who has led the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

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What they’re saying

“It reminds you that team can be sum of greater parts. This is a true team. We've had the motto, 'Everybody all the time,' and it's kind of taken that for us.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach (The Clemson Insider)

“In this climate right now, this is still possible. The value that you get by having those kinds of kids can surprise some people in terms of success on the court. It doesn't surprise me because it's what we've always tried to do at Clemson.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach (The Clemson Insider)

What’s next

Clemson will watch the 2026 NCAA Tournament Selection Show at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Mathis Family Coliseum Club inside Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson.

The takeaway

Clemson's success this season without a standout star player proves that a 'true team' mentality can still thrive in the modern college basketball landscape, challenging the notion that the NIL and transfer portal have made it impossible for team-oriented programs to succeed.