Why Brad Brownell Compared New Clemson Transfer Cole Certa to Former Standout

Clemson basketball hasn’t played a single minute of the 2026-27 season, but the Tigers are garnering excitement for one of their new transfers: Cole Certa.

Head coach Brad Brownell spoke about the Notre Dame transfer on Wednesday, noting his shooting ability was one of his best qualities. In fact, he shoots the ball with a confidence that reminds him of another former Tiger who had the confidence from deep.

Advertisement

That player was Joseph Girard III, a Syracuse transfer who used his final year to garner over 15 points a game for the Tigers in 2023-24.

“There are similarities there, and that’s why they can both really shoot, is they don’t ever think they’re going to miss,” Brownell said on Wednesday.

Certa fits the archetype that Girard had, too. He’s a 6-foot-5 guard who shot 36.7% from three last season with the Fighting Irish. He also got better as the season went on, finishing with an average of 16.1 points in ACC play.

Brownell admires the way that Certa brings himself to practice every day, looking to get better.

Advertisement

“Cole’s doing great,” he said. “He is more mature than most of my younger guys in terms of not only experience, but just the way he carries himself. He carries himself like a good player, like a worker.”

Of course, his hot hand is the reason that Brownell is excited for him in 2026-27. He finished with three games in ACC play with 30 points or more. Two of those three ended up in wins, while the only loss was a double-overtime defeat by Virginia, one of the best programs in the conference last season.

Similar to how Girard played, opposing teams will have to defend him, frankly, anywhere in the half-court.

“It’s when you cross halfcourt is when they think they’re ready to shoot, but that’s what you need,” Brownell said. “You need guys that have that kind of belief, and Cole has that.”

Advertisement

Clemson needed that last season, when troubles shooting caused the Tigers to lose games by themselves. When names like RJ Godfrey and Nick Davidson would…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-brad-brownell-compared-clemson-165432253.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-06-19 16:54:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.