Clemson men’s basketball took the stage at the 2025 ACC Tipoff in Charlotte with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. Head coach Brad Brownell, joined by senior leaders Dillon Hunter and RJ Godfrey, represented the Tigers with confidence as they prepare for a season full of new faces, fresh challenges, and high expectations.
Entering his 16th year at the helm, Brownell made it clear that while this Clemson team may look different on paper, the values that have long defined his program remain the same — grit, unity, and belief. “I like our group,” Brownell said during his opening remarks. “Obviously, we have ten new players, six freshmen, so we’re a little bit young, but I think we’ve got great depth. I’m excited about how we’re practicing. I think our guys are competing very hard.”
With such a large influx of newcomers, Brownell admitted that his biggest challenge will be blending the team’s new pieces into a cohesive unit. “The challenge for our coaching staff is to try to blend this new team together and find a style of play that fits and will help them be successful,” he said. “You’ve got to build relationships — that’s what coaching is now. It’s about investing time in your players one-on-one and making sure they invest in each other.”
The 2024–25 Tigers played with a deliberate, methodical pace that reflected their veteran-heavy roster. But Brownell hinted that this year’s group will embrace a more aggressive and up-tempo identity. “We’re going to get up and down the floor more,” he said. “I think we’re going to extend our defense, try to be a bit more aggressive, play with high hands and great activity and energy. I think this could be a group that we play ten guys double-figure minutes. Offensively we’re trying to push and play with tempo and start the offense with a little more thrust.”
Brownell’s emphasis on tempo and depth signals a shift from the grind-it-out style of recent seasons to a more balanced, team-oriented approach. The hope is that a deeper bench will allow the Tigers to maintain energy late in games and throughout the rigors of ACC play.
Brownell spoke passionately about what it means to represent Clemson University — a sentiment that drew parallels to Dabo Swinney’s well-known “All In” philosophy. “Clemson is a special place,” Brownell said. “It’s just something that we talk about at Clemson — it’s in these hills. There’s something in these hills. It’s more of a feeling. You just have to come see the place, spend time. I sent my two daughters to Clemson. We’re all in. We love it. Been there for a long time, and I think it’s because the values and what Clemson stands for is excellence.”
That culture of excellence has clearly rubbed off on his players, especially forward RJ Godfrey, who returned to Clemson after time away. Godfrey spoke candidly about why he came back, crediting Brownell for shaping not just his game but his mindset. “Coach Brownell has been an awesome leader in my life, not only on the court but off the court,” Godfrey said. “He’s gotten me better in so many aspects outside of basketball. When I got the opportunity to come back, I was like, man, I can’t pass that up.”
Godfrey’s offseason has focused heavily on skill development, particularly improving his perimeter shooting. “I’ve been working with Coach Jeff Reynolds a lot on my shot,” he explained. “He helped me fix my free throws and elevate my perimeter game to a whole new level.” His comments reflected a player who has matured both technically and mentally — one who has bought into the “grit” mentality Brownell preaches daily.
That same grit resonated with senior guard Dillon Hunter, who enters his final year as one of the Tigers most experienced players. Hunter discussed the importance of team chemistry and leadership, especially for a group with so many new faces. “It’s a whole group of new guys, and they don’t really know each other,” he said. “We’ve been going out, fishing, hitting the lake, getting food together — just getting to know each other. Now we’re seeing that gel form in practice.”
Hunter, who has appeared in nearly 100 games for Clemson, knows the value of patience and perseverance in Brownell’s system. “Coach’s motto is grit, perseverance of a long-term goal,” he said. “Last year I had to step up in my role, and now it’s about leading the team. We’ve got national championship written all over the board. Early on it was just about getting to the tournament — now we’re trying to win national championships.”
From Brownell’s veteran steadiness to Hunter’s leadership and Godfrey’s loyalty, Clemson’s showing at ACC Tipoff offered a clear message about the program’s direction. The Tigers aren’t just building a basketball team; they’re reinforcing a culture that values connection, resilience, and pride in representing the orange and purple. As Brownell summed up, “It’s a truly special place, and I’m humbled to be the coach there.”
