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Clemson Basketball hopes Naz Bohannon can replace Aamir Simms in 2021-22

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 1, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; Youngstown State Penguins forward Naz Bohannon (33) shoots in the lane during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; Youngstown State Penguins forward Naz Bohannon (33) shoots in the lane during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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An under-the-radar pickup happened this week when Clemson Basketball landed Youngstown State transfer Naz Bohannon for the 2021-22 season. The 6’6 forward is coming off a career-high season of 16.5 ppg and 3.2 apg, along with 8.2 rpg to lead the team.

Bohannon was a four-year starter at the Penguins, using his elite rebounding and defensive abilities to be an immediate impact player. His offense took some time to develop but it grew steadily each year, averaging double figures in the season prior before breaking out in 25 games played. That included a career-high 32 points against Green Bay, along with 10 games of at least 20 points.

Although he’s just 6’6 and undersized as a power forward, Bohannon plays and works bigger than his size. He’s the only player in the country to have averaged over 8.0 rpg in each of the past four years and has had double-digit rebounding games against power conference opponents before. Now in the ACC, the hope from Tiger fans is that he can continue rebounding at a high rate.

But even more importantly, Clemson will need Bohannon’s offense from this past season to stick around. That’s because they currently don’t have any returning players from last year’s roster that averaged double figures. There was only one in All-ACC forward Aamir Simms, who averaged a team-leading 13.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg. The team struggled on offense outside of him, ranking 314th nationally in scoring and second to last in the ACC in most offensive categories.

If there’s good news for Clemson it’s that they do return a good amount of the rotation, while also adding South Florida transfer guard David Collins, who averaged 12.5 ppg last season and was in double figures in all four years with the Bulls. And with Nick Honor and Al-Amir Dawes also coming back, Clemson will have plenty of experience and potential returning for next season.

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But Clemson will need more offense to remain viable in the ACC in 2021-22. And barring one of the key returning pieces breaking out, it’ll be up to both Collins, and Bohannon to lead the way for the team. If Bohannon can at least produce double-figure scoring and around his eight-rebound average, then his transfer will be one of the more impactful ones from this offseason.