Clemson basketball player suffers season-ending ACL tear

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Clemson junior center Carter Welling has suffered a torn ACL injury during the team's second-round ACC Tournament win over Wake Forest on Wednesday. The injury will sideline Welling for the remainder of the season, according to an MRI confirmation on Thursday.

Why it matters

Welling's absence is a significant blow to the Clemson basketball team, which was hoping to make a deep run in the ACC and NCAA tournaments this season. The Tigers will now have to adjust their lineup and game plan without their starting center.

The details

Welling, a 6'10" junior, was injured during the second half of Clemson's win over Wake Forest on Wednesday. After undergoing an MRI on Thursday, it was confirmed that Welling had suffered a torn ACL, an injury that typically requires several months of rehabilitation and recovery.

• Welling was injured during Clemson's ACC Tournament game against Wake Forest on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.
• The MRI confirming the torn ACL was conducted on Thursday, March 13, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Coach Brownell is expected to provide more details on Welling's injury and the team's plans moving forward during the postgame press conference on Thursday night.