Clemson star Ian Schieffelin explains decision to enter transfer portal

Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin entered the NCAA transfer portal on Monday, but according to On3’s Pete Nakos, Schieffelin does not currently have the eligibility to play another college basketball season. The former Tigers star provided an explanation for his decision on social media.

“While I am pursing my options on the professional level I have been advised, due to pending NCAA cases, to enter the portal on the very outside chance more eligibility is allowed,” Schieffelin wrote in a post on X.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Clemson is letting both Schieffelin and Jaeden Zackery enter the portal under the same circumstances. Nakos cited their decision was based on an ongoing lawsuit which would allow players 5 years of eligibility. The outcome of the suit remains to be seen as of this report.

In his four years at Clemson, Schiefflin amassed 134 appearances and 99 starts. He received numerous honors while with the Tigers, including the 2024 ACC Player of the Year Award and a 2025 All-ACC Second-Team selection.

Schieffelin started in all 34 of Clemson’s games this season. He averaged 12.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 33.4 minutes per game. He shot 49.5% from the field and 34.1% from beyond the arc.

He logged his best performance of the season in Clemson’s 83-68 win over Notre Dame on Feb. 26. In the win, Schieffelin tallied a season-high 24 points and nine rebounds while shooting 9-11 from the floor.

Ian Schieffelin played high school basketball at Grayson (GA), where he was an unranked prospect in the 2021 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Schieffelin chose Clemson over Virginia Tech and Dayton.

He helped lead Clemson to a 27-7 record this past season, posting a 18-2 mark in conference play, the team’s best during head coach Brad Brownell‘s tenure. However, the Tigers fell short during the postseason, suffering an upset against McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The transfer portal wire provides a real-time feed of player activity, including basic player profile information, transfer portal ranking and original On3 Industry recruiting ranking, as well as NIL valuation (name, image and likeness).

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.