Since joining the ACC in 1953, Clemson has enjoyed moderate success as a program. Despite never advancing past the Elite Eight, the Tigers have had many great talents grace their campus. Let’s piece together a Clemson Basketball All-Time Starting Lineup to determine who stands on the Pantheon of Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Tigers recently enjoyed their first Elite Eight appearance since 1980. Head Coach Brad Brownell led Clemson as they consecutively defeated New Mexico State, Baylor, and Arizona before losing to Alabama. With a head full of steam heading into the 2024-25 season returning senior Chase Hunter will look to guide Clemson to another deep tournament run.
Clemson Basketball All-Time Starting Lineup
Guard: Cliff Hammonds
A four-year starter for the Tigers, Cliff Hammonds is listed fifth all-time among Clemson alumni in assists dishing out 473 dimes. Under Head Coach Oliver Purnell Hammonds helped lead the 2006-07 Tigers to a second place finish in the NIT. As a senior the point guard received the first Skip Prosser Award given to the top student-athlete in the ACC. Hammonds was the first Clemson Basketball player on scholarship to graduate with a degree in architecture. Supposedly, Hammonds was known on campus for attending morning classes despite long trips on road games. Clemson reached the ACC title game in the european journeyman’s final collegiate season. Additionally, in that same season Clemson got a bid to the big dance after a decade of missing the NCAA Tournament.
"For me to give back to any kid, anyway I can, the way people gave to me when I was coming up through this community."
It's been a few years, but Cliff Hammonds came back to Cairo today for his 9th Skillz Camp. For him, it's about giving back to the community that helped him. pic.twitter.com/homx0Lg5nH
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) July 28, 2023
Guard: Greg Buckner
Greg Buckner led the Tigers in points per game all four of his collegiate seasons. Playing in the Rick Barnes Era Buckner made the NCAA Tournament every year besides when he was a freshman. Coming from Hopkinsville, Kentucky Buckner was named the 1994-95 ACC Rookie of the Year. Nowadays, he can be found on NBA sidelines as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Being named to All-ACC Second Teams in 1996-97 and 1997-98, the apt scorer finished his time at Clemson with 1,754 career points, which is fifth all-time in Tiger History. Buckner led Clemson to a Sweet Sixteen birth in the 1997 NCAA Tournament. It was only the fourth time the Tigers had advanced that far.
Forward: PJ Hall
As previously mentioned, Clemson is coming off just their second elite eight appearance as a basketball program. PJ Hall was a huge part of that tournament run, and acted as a floor general and leader for the Tiger’s all season. Hall set the school record for points in a season in 2023-24, scoring 659, including a 31 point explosion in a home win against Georgia Tech. After not hearing his name called at the 2024 NBA Draft, Hall suited up for the Denver Nuggets Summer League team and subsequently signed a two-way contract with the Nugs. Hall ended his tenure at Clemson fifth all-time in true shooting percentage averaging 58.2% as a Tiger. The undersized big man will look to make an impact as a the Nuggets look to bring home another Larry O’Brien.
Forward: Horace Grant
Coming from Sparta, GA, Horace Grant was the first and only Clemson Tiger to be named ACC Player of the Year. In the 1986-87 season The General led Clemson to 25 wins and a second place finish in the ACC. The Tigers only lost two games in Littlejohn Coliseum in Grant’s senior year. Also, the future NBA champ became the first player to lead the ACC in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage. At the conclusion of Grant’s time at Clemson, he had pulled down 981 boards, the fifth-best mark in Clemson Basketball history. Afterward, The formidable forward went on to win four NBA championships, three with the Chicago Bulls and one with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Center: Tree Rollins
Wayne “Tree” Rollins is best known for his shot-blocking ability. Overall, Rollins may be considered the GOAT of Clemson Basketball. Stuffing 450 shots during his collegiate career, Tree holds the all-time record for blocks at his alma mater. Clemson made their first postseason appearance when Rollins was a sophomore losing in the first round of the 1975 National Invitational Tournament. Teaming up with freshman star Skip Mays the pair secured solid home victories against NC State, Maryland, and North Carolina. Tree was the first athlete in any sport to have their jersey retired in Tigertown. After a long NBA career Rollins coached in the WNBA, spending time with the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. The seven footer remains the only Tiger to average a double-double in all four years at Clemson.
