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Clemson basketball adds starting guard to replace departing seniors
TL;DR
Clemson women's basketball has signed Virginia Tech transfer Mackenzie Nelson to fill the gap left by graduating seniors Rachel Rose and Mia Moore. Nelson, who started all 32 games last season, brings strong leadership and playmaking skills to the team.
At a time when the backcourt is going through a deep transition period with many seniors graduating, Clemson women's basketball made a crucial decision for the future by picking up Virginia Tech transfer Mackenzie Nelson from the portal.
This was a much-needed pickup for the Tigers because with Rachel Rose and Mia Moore graduating, you're losing control, leadership, and, to be honest, the feel of the offense in addition to production. They require a guard who can do more than just fill in the minutes. Nelson immediately checks all those boxes.
This past season, she started all 32 games for Virginia Tech and averaged 8.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals. She doesn't turn the ball over, reads correctly, and plays under control. Her 12-assist performance against Florida State demonstrates her ceiling as a distributor. Earlier in her career, she ranked among the top 10 in the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio. This skill is important when replacing players like Rose, who essentially maintained Clemson's stability.
She had 18 against Florida State and can pick her spots, but the bigger thing is she doesn’t need to force anything. Clemson doesn’t need her to be the leading scorer; they need her to keep everything organized, and she’s built for that. Defensively, she’s active and had a four-steal game against Georgia Tech.
Nelson's stats aren't the only thing that makes her certified as a baller; she is a Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and a former top-65 ESPN HoopGurlz player.
If you're a Clemson basketball fan and need something to be excited about, this is the spark player that your eyes should be on for next season.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson basketball reloads at guard with Virginia Tech transfer
Q&A
Who is Mackenzie Nelson and what are her stats from last season?
Mackenzie Nelson is a transfer from Virginia Tech who started all 32 games last season, averaging 8.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Why did Clemson women's basketball need to replace their starting guard?
Clemson needed to replace their starting guard due to the graduation of seniors Rachel Rose and Mia Moore, which left a significant gap in leadership and offensive control.
What impact is Mackenzie Nelson expected to have on Clemson's basketball team?
Mackenzie Nelson is expected to provide stability and organization in the backcourt, utilizing her strong assist-to-turnover ratio and defensive skills to enhance the team's performance.
