The Clemson basketball team has gotten off to a strong start in the 2024-25 season. While their first two opponents, Charleston Southern and Saint Francis, aren’t exactly top-tier programs, head coach Brad Brownell has been pleased with his team’s performances. A major factor in their early success has been the contributions of several key transfers who have stepped up in crucial roles.
Newcomers Jaeden Zachery, Viktor Lahkin, Myles Foster, and Jake Heidbreder have all made an impact. Each player brings something unique to the team.
Zachery, a guard who transferred from Boston College, has been a standout all-around player. He’s averaging 11.0 points per game (third on the team) and leads the Tigers with 4.5 assists per game. What’s more, Zachery has excelled defensively, ranking first in the ACC with 3.5 steals per game. His defensive rating (a measure of how many points a player allows per 100 possessions) is an impressive 86.3, a particularly strong number for a point guard, given their defensive responsibilities.
Lahkin, a transfer from Cincinnati, has been incredibly efficient despite playing limited minutes. In just 17.5 minutes per game, he’s averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks—leading the team in the latter category. Before the season, there were concerns about how Clemson would replace the production of PJ Hall, the 6-foot-10 star who averaged 14.2 points and 5.3 rebounds last year. While Lahkin is more of a traditional big man than Hall, he’s shown that he can provide similar statistical contributions. However, his minutes will likely need to increase as the competition gets tougher, and it will be interesting to see if he can handle a larger workload against stronger teams.
Foster, a 6-foot-7 forward from Illinois State, and Heidbreder, a shooter from Air Force who redshirted last year, have been vital as key reserves for Brownell. Foster has been highly efficient, averaging 8.5 points per game in just 13.5 minutes of play. If you project that over a full 40 minutes, it equates to an impressive 25.2 points per 40 minutes, the highest among Clemson’s regulars. Heidbreder, known for his three-point shooting, has been a welcome addition. He’s hitting 62.5% of his 3-pointers (5-for-8), a much-needed boost for a team that struggled with long-range shooting last season. Last year, Clemson ranked 101st in the nation for three-pointers made per game, but through two games this season, they’re averaging 11.5 makes per game, good for 41st nationally.
While it’s still early, and the competition has been relatively soft, Clemson will soon face tougher challenges. They have a tough road game ahead against Boise State, a Mountain West contender, followed by a home matchup with No. 23 Kentucky just days before ACC play begins, starting with a road trip to Miami. As the schedule intensifies, these transfers will need to continue playing key roles to help Clemson build momentum and position themselves for a potential tournament bid later in the season.
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