Brad Brownell on Viktor Lakhin: 'I think he'll play all over the floor'

On April 17, Clemson landed a commitment from former Cincinnati forward Viktor Lakhin. Earlier this month, Clemson head coach Brad Brownell revealed his expectations for Lakhin next season.

“He’ll play all over the floor,” Brownell said. “Obviously, we have to help coach guys to get better. But, we like Viktor’s’ ability to play inside and out. In our offense, the last couple of years has been a lot more of a high-low. We kind of made some changes there a couple years ago to really accentuate our players.

“We just felt like it fit Ian [Schieffelin] and PJ [Hall] especially, and then RJ [Godfrey] was kind of a beneficiary this year. [Lakhin] will fit into that. He’ll be able to play both spots and do some different things that way. I would expect him to shoot some 3s for sure and make 3s and stretch the defense, which is important.”

Lakhin can spread the floor, but it isn’t a strength of his. Last season, Lakhin shot 1.9 3-point attempts per game, only connecting on 25.9% of them. However, his increased attempts were an obvious sign of improved confidence.

Lakhin only shot four 3-pointers in the entire 2022-23 season. If Lakhin’s improved confidence from last season can translate into a better percentage from downtown in the upcoming campaign, he will fit perfectly into Clemson’s offensive scheme.

After all, Brownell isn’t demanding perfection. PJ Hall, who led the charge in Clemson’s run to the Elite Eight this past season, only shot 31.5% from deep. Nonetheless, opponents were forced to defend the standout forward beyond the perimeter due to his willingness to shoot.

Brownell seems to believe Lakhin could provide a similar threat from behind the arc. When Lakhin opts to take his game inside, he’s extremely efficient. The 6-foot-11 standout shot 57.8% on 2-point attempts last season.

Lakhin is one of four players Clemson has added in the transfer portal this offseason. The team boasts the No. 26 spot in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings. With Viktor Lakhin by his side next season, Brownell hopes to continue to build on the momentum Clemson has gained during his tenure.

“Just tremendous accomplishments. Saw that there’s only 24 schools that have been to a Sweet 16 and an Elite 8 in the last whatever, since 2018, whatever that is, six or seven years, and we’re one of them,” Brownell said. “There’s a narrative that needs to change a little bit with our program.”