Clemson Women's Basketball Adds Transfer Guard to Bolster Backcourt

Mackenzie Nelson joins the Tigers after starting all 32 games for Virginia Tech last season.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Clemson women's basketball game, with the court and players broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of orange and purple.Clemson's new transfer guard Mackenzie Nelson will be tasked with orchestrating the Tigers' offense after the departures of key backcourt players.Clemson Today

Clemson women's basketball has added Virginia Tech transfer Mackenzie Nelson to their roster, a crucial pickup as the team looks to replace the production and leadership of graduating seniors Rachel Rose and Mia Moore in the backcourt.

Why it matters

Nelson's arrival provides Clemson with an experienced, pass-first point guard who can help stabilize the offense and maintain the team's success after the departures of two key players.

The details

Nelson started all 32 games for Virginia Tech last season, averaging 8.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. She is known for her high basketball IQ, ability to take care of the ball, and strong defensive play. Her 12-assist performance against Florida State showcased her talent as a distributor, and she previously ranked among the ACC's best in assist-to-turnover ratio.

  • Clemson women's basketball is preparing for the 2026-27 season.
  • Nelson transferred from Virginia Tech to Clemson in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Mackenzie Nelson

A transfer guard who started all 32 games for Virginia Tech last season, averaging 8.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Rachel Rose

A graduating Clemson senior who provided leadership and stability to the Tigers' offense.

Mia Moore

A graduating Clemson senior who was a key contributor to the Tigers' backcourt.

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The takeaway

Clemson has addressed a critical need in their backcourt by adding an experienced, pass-first point guard in Mackenzie Nelson, who should help maintain the team's success after the departures of two key seniors.