Elite Guard Zac Foster is Latest Addition to Clemson’s Backcourt and Future
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Clemson head coach Brad Brownell has the Tigers rolling, coming off an Elite Eight appearance last season and currently ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll. Brownell’s success has been fueled in part by his methodical use of the transfer portal, but for Clemson to sustain its upward trajectory, the staff must continue making strides on the recruiting trail.
The Tigers’ 2024 recruiting class included point guard Del Jones, combo guard Ace Buckner—the son of Clemson legend Greg Buckner—and small forward Dallas Thomas. Buckner and Thomas are redshirting this season, but Jones has been a steady contributor off the bench, providing acrobatic drives to the basket, tough on-the-ball defense, and 4.1 points per game.
Brownell's latest class features three signees: power forward Chase Thompson, center Trent Steinour, and guard Zac Foster. Among them, Foster is the highest-rated prospect, checking in at No. 61 in the 247Sports rankings for the 2025 class.
Foster, a four-star guard from Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Ga., committed to Clemson on Sept. 12, 2024, choosing the Tigers over offers from Cincinnati, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and others.
"I chose Clemson because their whole staff is invested in me," Foster told ClemsonSportsTalk this week. "Coach Brownell, in particular, was at all the major sightings this summer, first to be there, last to leave. And the atmosphere and teammates they have on campus are great."
At 6-foot-3, Foster is a versatile playmaker who thrives as both a scorer and facilitator. He leads a talented Woodward team that features highly touted brothers, Jarvis Hayes Jr. (2027) and Myles Hayes (2028), and senior Deke Cooper Jr. Foster is first in scoring (17.7 PPG), assists (4.6 APG), steals (2.1 SPG), blocks (1.3 BPG), and free throw percentage (88%) for the War Eagles.
Described as a smooth operator on the court, Foster provided his own scouting report.
"I'm a combo guard who is comfortable playing at my own pace, getting others involved, and ultimately getting myself going," he noted. "Just a competitor who will do everything that I need to win."
The reigning Region 4-AAAAA Player of the Year won’t arrive in Clemson until next summer, but he’s already preparing for the next level. "Before I get to college, I do need to improve on my three-point shooting and getting bigger to withstand the physicality of college," said Foster, who currently weighs 165 pounds and has connected on 35% of his three-point attempts.
For now, his focus is on leading Woodward to a deep playoff run after a dominant 23-4 season, which included a 13-1 mark and a region championship. Meanwhile, Clemson (21-5, 13-2 ACC) is riding a three-game winning streak with statement victories over No. 3 Duke, North Carolina, and Florida State. Foster was in attendance for the Tigers’ thrilling court-storming win over the Blue Devils and took notice of how this year's team operates.
"What stands out is a team who plays together and enjoys playing together and doing it all by playing their hardest every night.”
As Brownell continues to build Clemson’s future, Foster’s commitment represents another significant step toward long-term success.
