Clemson transfer Ben Middlebrooks brings toughness to NC State

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Shortly after forward Ben Middlebrooks entered the transfer portal from Clemson, he did not land too far away from the Tigers. Instead, Middlebrooks stayed in the ACC and ended up at NC State to provide depth to the Wolfpack’s frontcourt. 

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was stuck behind PJ Hall, an All-ACC caliber forward that has averaged 25.8 minutes a game over the past two seasons. In searching for a fresh start, Middlebrooks joined NC State, where he has a chance to break into the rotation at power forward this season. 

While Middlebrooks traded his orange jersey for a red one, his former teammates, including Hall, and coach spoke highly of him at the ACC Tipoff on Wednesday. 

“Ben’s a good player,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “Really competitive guy, high energy, outstanding rebounder, runs the floor well. I think his skill level is improving tremendously. As he gets older, he’s going to continue to develop the poise that you need to be a good player.”

Middlebrooks and Hall were roommates during the former’s freshman season, which allowed the two to create a friendship. Their bond frequently took them to golf courses around South Carolina as they played numerous rounds with each other. 

While Hall is who the Tigers lean on at power forward, Middlebrooks was key in replacing the all-league forward when he went down with an injury two years ago. Though he averaged 1.2 points and 1.1 rebounds during his first year at Clemson, Middlebrooks recorded eight points and nine rebounds in a career-high 27 minutes at Boston College in place of Hall. 

“I was super proud of him, especially my sophomore year when he was a freshman,” Hall said. “He stepped up big time this past year as well whenever I was out a little bit, but it was great my sophomore year. Whenever he came in, we went 4-0 when me and Hunter were out. That was really cool to see him step up in those roles when it was needed.”

Middlebrooks made 60 appearances, including 11 starts. He averaged 2.3 points on a 50% shooting clip from the field during his two years at Clemson. 

Middlebrooks backed up Hall, and when he came onto the court in place for one of Clemson’s top players, the forward did what he was asked to do. 

“I think he did a good job with it,” Clemson guard Chase Hunter said. “When he would come in, he would bring a lot of energy. He’s always on the boards. Someone who could change the course of a game by just diving on the ball. He was one of those players that he was very tough.”

That toughness was a common theme among those that talked about Middlebrooks in Charlotte. 

“He’s a great dude,” Hall said of Middlebrooks. “Playing ball with him, he’s a great competitor, fiery guy. He’s the kind of guy on the court, even on your team, that you might get to fight with him. He’s very confrontational dude on the court, which I loved about him.”

Middlebrooks’ role included the little things that others might not want to do, including diving on the floor after loose balls. And at 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, that’s uncommon, Brownwell noted. 

“It’s someone that you would always want on your team,” Hunter said. “You always need a guy that’s willing to do the dirty things like diving on balls, hitting someone hard on a screen or catching someone with an elbow when needed. You need guys like that so your team isn’t seen as soft. I think we lost some of that with him going to NC State.”

Middlebrooks was described as a “good teammate” by the trio as well, and Hall said that he helped him improve each day in practice. He remembered the days of the two going at it in the post — and Hall said he can not wait for the Wolfpack’s road trip to Clemson on Feb. 17.

Hunter added that Hall will likely get physical with Middlebrooks when the two matchup this season, and he was looking forward to seeing it. 

But for Hunter, who said multiple times that he missed Middlebrooks being on the team, it will take a little while to get used to seeing NC State across his teammate’s chest.

“It’ll definitely be weird seeing him in a different jersey,” Hunter said. “But I’m always rooting for him.”