The Clemson women’s basketball team will enter the 2021-22 season with much to be excited about. Fourth-year head coach Amanda Butler will look to improve upon last season’s 12-14 campaign. Clemson will start its season on Nov. 10 as they play USC Upstate at 7 p.m. EST in Clemson. 
The Tigers added several talented players this off-season, and they are also returning three starters from last year.
One of Clemson’s recruits is four-star Kionna Gaines, a 5’9″ guard from Columbus, Ga., who is also ranked No. 52 from ESPN’s top 100 high school recruits. Gaines is an athletic player that regularly cuts and drives to the basket and possesses a nice touch around the rim. Clemson also added two three-star players: Makayla Elmore, a 6’3″ forward from Fostoria, Ohio, and Sydney Standifer, a 5’7″ guard from Argyle, Texas.
Clemson added Syracuse-transfer Kiara Lewis, a 5’8″ guard from Chicago to the team. Lewis led Syracuse in scoring last season, averaging 14 points per game. Mechelle Voepel and Charlie Creme, who are women’s basketball analysts, ranked Lewis as the 15th best transfer in the nation. Lewis will bring leadership, experience and a skillset that will help bolster the Tiger offense that finished No. 7 in the ACC in points per game last season.
Lewis was nationally recognized in the preseason as she was one of only 20 players who was added to the 2022 Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award watch list.  The award is given to the best shooting guard in the country at the end of the season.
Clemson successfully added new, talented players to this roster, but do not forget about the players that will be making their return to the Tigers this season.
Probably the biggest name that is returning to Clemson’s lineup is Delicia Washington. Washington averaged 16.4 points per game and six rebounds per game last season. The 5’10” senior guard from Macclenny, Florida. was also recognized in the offseason. She was selected to both preseason All-ACC Teams, voted on by head coaches and the Blue Ribbon Panel.
Gabby Elliott will also make her return to the Tigers. The sophomore guard will look to build off her impressive freshman year, where she appeared and started in 25 games, finished second on the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game and was selected to the ACC All-Freshman team.
Junior Amari Robinson is another returning starter. Robinson, a 6’0″ forward, started all 26 games last year and led the Tigers in rebounding with 6.1 rebounds per game. She was also selected to the ACC All-Academic team.
Clemson’s season will not be an easy one as their schedule includes seven games against currently ranked opponents, three of which are ranked in the top six. These games include visiting No. 1 South Carolina on Nov. 17, hosting No. 5 NC State on Dec. 30 and hosting No. 6 Louisville on Feb. 3.
Clemson will open ACC-play on Dec. 11 when they travel to the Carrier Dome to take on Syracuse at 6 p.m.
Coach Butler has added and returned many talented players to this year’s roster which gives Clemson fans something to be excited about. This season’s schedule will undoubtedly test the team’s talent and leadership, but the Tigers are ready to go out and prove themselves this year.