ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

5. Clemson Tigers

Last season: 23-11, 14-6 in the ACC

Clemson returns in the upcoming season at No. 5 in the preseason ranks with a strong returning cast and a few transfer portal additions who should contribute right away. The Tigers return eight names from a season ago and add four players out of the transfer portal including Syracuse’s best player from last year, Joe Girard III.

P.J. Hall is the leading returner who should continue to produce at a high level for this squad. Hall averaged 15.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.1 bpg and 1.0 apg on 39.8 percent shooting from deep and 53.5 percent from the field in the Clemson frontcourt this past season. He’s another player in the ACC who should see his stock grow in the NBA Draft world as the season progresses.

After Hall, there’s Chase Hunter in the backcourt. Hunter finished with 13.8 ppg, 4.5 apg and 3.0 rpg on 35.6 percent from deep and 41 percent from the field this past year. Hunter coupled with the exploits of Girard III in the backcourt should make for quite the dynamic duo for opponents to deal with.

Jake Heidbreder (Air Force) is another transfer addition to keep an eye on. He was an All-MVC third-team performer in 2022-23 after finishing with 15.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 1.7 apg on 39.9 percent shooting from deep. He finished fourth in the MVC in 3-pointers made (75). Look for him to bolster the perimeter attack for Clemson as they look to finish at the top of the conference.