Why Chase Hunter returned for sixth season on Clemson basketball team

Clemson basketball guard Chase Hunter revealed Thursday at ACC Tipoff in Charlotte why he returned for a sixth season.

“My dream is definitely to play in the NBA, so I wanted to try that out,” said Hunter, who withdrew from the 2024 NBA Draft. “I got some feedback and had some talks with (Clemson coach Brad Brownell), and we thought the best decision for me was to come back.”

Hunter tested the NBA draft waters, participating in team workouts throughout the spring. Still, he was not one of the 45 prospects invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp in May and did not receive an NBA draft combine invitation.

Hunter looks to boost his stock this season like former Clemson forward PJ Hall did when he came back for another season and signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets in July. While building his profile, Hunter wants to help Clemson make its first Final Four after it fell short in the Elite Eight last season.

Hunter averaged 12.9 points on 42.4% shooting, 3.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds over 36 games in 2023-24. He made the 2024 NCAA Tournament All-West Region team, averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and two steals over four games, after helping Clemson reach the Elite Eight for the first time in 44 years.

Hunter’s return boosts Brownell’s roster, which lost key contributors like Hall, Joseph Girard III, RJ Godfrey and Jack Clark. Brownell added four transfers to pair with returning players and three incoming freshmen.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell on replacing PJ Hall

Hall was Clemson’s unquestioned leader last season, leading Clemson in points and blocked shots. With him in the NBA, the Tigers need Hunter and last year’s ACC most improved player, Ian Schieffelin, to fill his void.

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Brownell, who signed a three-year contract extension in July, said both have done a solid job so far in the offseason, but their real test will happen when Clemson faces adversity during the season.

“Do I think these guys have the qualities necessary? I do,” Brownell said. “These are two great young men who are extremely positive examples of our program. I’m proud of them, but there’s going to be a lot of challenging days ahead for all of us, and I think they’ll handle them.”

Brownell said Hunter and Schieffelin answered the call last season with Hall when the Tigers were 4-6 in conference play and made the necessary adjustments to finish 11-9 in the ACC. This season, they will have to do it without Hall.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson basketball: Why Chase Hunter returned, replacing PJ Hall