Rapid Reaction: Girard's transfer to Clemson tees up two 'can't miss' games
Syracuse guard Joe Girard announced on Sunday afternoon he has committed to Clemson over finalist LSU.
Girard led Syracuse in scoring in his senior season, averaging 16.4 ppg to go with 3.0 apg. He shot 40.3 percent from the field, a career high, and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Girard has one year of eligibility left despite playing four seasons because the NCAA offered an extra year of eligibility as a result of the COVID pandemic.
RAPID REACTION
Joe Girard‘s announcement Sunday that he has decided to play his final season of collegiate eligibility at Clemson instantly adds two can’t miss games to the ‘Cuse 2023-24 ACC schedule.
SU will play the Tigers home and away in the conference schedule rotation.
If league administrators are smart, they will first schedule the Dome game against the Tigers in an attractive TV window, then the return game later in the season at Clemson, South Carolina.
Whenever Girard returns to Central New York, it’s going to be a strange visual seeing him clad in an orange and purple Clemson uniform after starting four seasons for the Orange.
Girard, one of three guards Clemson coach Brad Brownell has brought into his program through the transfer portal this offseason, will add outside scoring prowess and his 16 ppg at SU last season to a team that has a mix of key returnees.
The Tigers are eyeing a return to the NCAA tournament after a two year absence.
Girard is the first Syracuse player to transfer to an in-conference opponent since walk-on Brad Small left SU for St. John’s in 1991 during the Big East days, later playing six games for SJU in 1993-94.
And a quick trivia question: Who was the only other former Syracuse player to transfer to Clemson?
Guard Michael Brown in 1986-87 when he averaged 8.8 ppg for CU.
----
Chat about this story and all things Syracuse and Syracuse recruiting on our premium message board, Cuse Classified!
Follow us on Twitter @TheJuiceOnline, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @SUJuiceOnline and listen to our podcast.
Tips/questions/concerns? E-mail Recruiting Analyst Charles Kang here.
Not a subscriber to The Juice Online? Join today for access to all our premium content and message board community.