The Clemson men’s basketball team was busy in the transfer portal during the offseason, bringing in four new players, including guard Joseph Girard III from Syracuse.

As a player who will bring much leadership and experience to Clemson’s roster, Girard chose the Tigers in part due to what the team does defensively on the floor.

“I think defense is all about effort, energy and attitude,” Girard said at the ACC tipoff in Charlotte last week. “One of the main reasons I came to Clemson was because the coaches are so defensive-minded, and I knew it was going to allow me to learn the different techniques, different screen coverages and all that kind of stuff a lot faster than maybe if I had gone to another school that was more offensive focused.”

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell had high praise for the experienced sharpshooter.

“Joe is a terrific player,” Brownell said. “Certainly have experienced that, watching him and competing against him for four years.”

“We just felt like having more shooting would be good for us. Joe is a guy that’s going to be able to stretch defenses, but I also think he’s a tremendous leader, and he’s a guy that’s extremely competitive, so it’s always good to add guys like that to your locker room.”

Girard spent four years at Syracuse, where he averaged 13.2 points, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Last season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound guard averaged 16.4 points per game while shooting over 38.1% from beyond the arc.

As Clemson prepares for the 2023-2024 season beginning on Nov. 6, Girard is a player many inside the program are hoping can help lead the Tigers to build off its improved season from a year ago.