Duke would’ve thought nothing of it: just another win against an ACC opponent it was expected to beat.
This could’ve been the reality. One of the best Clemson basketball upsets in recent memory may have never happened. As Clemson fans stormed the court, many didn’t think that this season’s and that game’s success had much to do with players who were in different jerseys at this time last year.
Viktor Lakhin, Jaeden Zackery, Myles Foster and Jake Heidbreder are all playing for the Tigers for the first time this year after playing for other teams, and they have already left their mark on the Tiger program.
Lakhin came to Clemson after three seasons with Cincinnati, two of which he started. With the exit of PJ Hall, Clemson fans questioned if Lakhin, or anyone, could fill the presence of the former star, but Lakhin’s physical presence and clutch finishes on second-chance points quickly quieted any doubters.
In the biggest games of the season, the veteran transfer has shown up the most, scoring 22 points against both Duke and North Carolina. His play on the defensive end, which included a clutch block with 23 seconds remaining against Duke on a shot that would have given the Blue Devils a late lead, exemplified his toughness and leadership.
Following a win against Syracuse on Jan. 22, Lakhin was asked if his team played with a chip on their shoulder. “I think that, especially for guys who transferred here,” Lakhin said. “We have all transferred and never made it into a tournament, like me particularly. I definitely have a chip on my shoulder. I’m sure Myles does, JZ (Jaeden Zackery), all those guys: Christian (Reeves), J (Jake) Heidbreder, all of us have never made it, so we want to get a taste of it.”
A Boston College transfer, Zackery has been the unsung hero for head coach Brad Brownell’s team. The starting guard leads the team in both assists and steals while being fourth in points per game.
A player that opposing teams hate to face on the defensive end, Zackery manages to impact just about every game he plays in. In addition to serving as a key defensive player, his offensive performances have included a 12-point performance against Duke and a 16-point performance against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Foster and Heidbreder have given the Tigers depth and hot hands off the bench. Foster, the Illinois State transfer, and Heidbreder, a product of the Air Force Academy, both were stars of their former teams and have given up minutes to contribute to something greater: a chance to help the Clemson Tigers return to the NCAA Tournament.
As March nears closer, this group of transfers with a chip on their shoulder refuses to let anyone stand in their way of the big dance.
