Brad Brownell shares how Josh Beadle has responded since car crash

Clemson is off to a solid start to the 2023-24 season, even without guard Josh Beadle making much of an impact so far. Beadle has the kind of skills to make a major difference as he continues to come along.

But the sophomore guard was slowed by a car accident he was involved in during the fall.

“Josh had a hard fall because he was playing well and then got in the car accident and then he wasn’t right for a while, and he’s trying to play with a mask and he’s frustrated,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “It affected him. It would affect most people, especially unless you’re a starter who knows I’m going back in.”

Beadle isn’t a starter, but his goal is almost certainly to become one at some point. He played 12.8 minutes per game a year ago as a freshman, averaging 2.3 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.

His numbers so far this season are up despite his minutes being down, with Beadle averaging 2.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game on 10.3 minutes per contest.

So if Clemson can continue to get Josh Beadle up to speed it can likely expect increased production.

“I thought Josh played well today, and the biggest thing is Josh has, I’ve talked to him about this, he has to practice well,” Brownell said. “He has to practice well. He’s a good kid. He’s a very happy, go lucky kid. He likes to have a good time, and he has great burst. He has good speed. But every once in a while he’s a little too aggressive, like he needs to understand we have a Big 3 if we will that, like, make sure those guys are touching the ball when you’re out there with them. But I like what Josh brings.

“He brings speed, he brings a little energy for us. When he practices well that’s when he usually gets to play. As long as he plays well the first time he goes in then he usually gets to play a little more. He’s been practicing better.”

After getting off to an 11-1 start to the season, Clemson has hit the skids a little bit and has lost four of their last five. The team needs to get it together in a hurry if it hopes to protect an NCAA Tournament bid.

The Tigers know all too well after last year that they don’t want to be sitting on the bubble come selection time.

For Josh Beadle, though, it’s all about continuing to chip away at practice and the games, searching for ways to make more contributions. That’s admittedly been tough coming off the car accident.

“I’m trying to fight for my life for the job and try to convince coach and I’m playing really well, then I’m in this car accident, I’m out three weeks, miss everything, now I’ve got to catch back up and I’m wearing a mask and I’m behind and I’m putting pressure on myself,” Brownell said. “It’s hard. And it’s taken him a while and I think he got frustrated for a little while and probably had a bad couple of weeks. And now I think he’s back on an uptick. In the last couple of weeks he’s practiced better and it’s really good for our team.”