A Sweltering Start in Rome
Clemson’s basketball team opened its Italian tour with a hard‑fought exhibition against a local side in Rome. The match was halted with 8:23 remaining in the final period after officials deemed the court unsafe, citing excessive sweat spots that made play hazardous. Because the game was classified as an exhibition, the Tigers were awarded the victory without completing the full contest.
Head coach Brad Brownell praised the team’s resilience, noting that the early call did not dampen the spirit of the players. “We came in prepared for a tough environment, and even with the unusual circumstances, we saw flashes of the intensity we want to carry forward,” he said.
Scoring was distributed across the roster, with Cole Certa leading the Tigers with 10 points. Liutauras Lelevicius added nine, while Dallas Thomas contributed seven points and five rebounds. Chase Thompson rounded out the scoring with six points and a team‑high eight rebounds. Supporting performances came from David Fuchs, Blake Davidson and Trent Steinour, each chipping in a few points.
Clemson entered the game without several key big men, including Zac Foster, Ace Buckner, Carter Welling and Dylan Faulkner, all sidelined by injury. Despite the depleted frontcourt, the remaining players stepped up to maintain competitiveness.
Looking Ahead to Florence
The Tigers’ next assignment is scheduled for Saturday in Florence, Italy, where they will face Pro Camp at 12:30 p.m. EST. The upcoming matchup offers a chance to build on the early victory and to test the team’s chemistry in a different Italian city.
With Brad Brownell at the helm and a roster that includes Cole Certa, Liutauras Lelevicius, Dallas Thomas, Chase Thompson, David Fuchs, Blake Davidson and Trent Steinour, Clemson hopes to translate its early success into a stronger showing against Pro Camp. The team will also be looking to integrate the returning injured players, Zac Foster, Ace Buckner, Carter Welling and Dylan Faulkner, as they work toward full health.