After 134 video games in a Clemson basketball jersey, energy ahead Ian Schieffelin is altering uniforms. However not faculties.
Schieffelin introduced Friday he has taken Tigers soccer coach Dabo Swinney up on his supply to play tight finish on his workforce.
The 6-foot-8 Schieffelin posted a photograph on Instagram that confirmed him clad half in a basketball jersey, half in a soccer one, with the caption, “Subsequent chapter.”
He wasn’t a serious NBA draft prospect — an abroad workforce or the G League was extra seemingly — so he determined to see the place soccer might take him.
“I have been simply coaching for basketball, preparing for the subsequent stage,” Schieffelin informed ESPN. “Dabo simply walked me by way of the chance he was prepared to offer me, and all of it sounded nice, one thing I needed to leap on. It actually simply sparked my curiosity in eager to attempt, and having the ability to placed on a Clemson jersey once more was very engaging to me. To have the ability to be coached by Dabo and (tight ends coach Kyle) Richardson is simply an enormous alternative I could not go up.”
For the Tigers in 2024-25, Schieffelin averaged 12.4 factors and 9.4 rebounds per recreation final season. He began all 70 video games he performed in over the previous two seasons.
“I might by no means rule out me going again to basketball,” Schieffelin stated. “I am going to see how these subsequent six months go, see how improvement goes, see if I actually like enjoying soccer. However I feel this can be a good alternative for the subsequent six months.”
Most famously, Antonio Gates transitioned from enjoying basketball at Kent State to turning into a Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame tight finish for the San Diego Chargers. Schieffelin informed ESPN he spoke with Indianapolis Colts tight finish Mo-Alie Cox, who performed 4 seasons of basketball at VCU, concerning the alternative.
Swinney apparently has thought concerning the concept for some time. In a information convention within the fall that coincided with the beginning of the school basketball season, he was requested whether or not Schieffelin might play soccer — a sport Schieffelin gave up early in highschool. The reply was an enthusiastic sure.
“He might play tight finish, D-end. He might play no matter he needed to play. He’d be an unbelievable left deal with,” Swinney stated. “I am going to positively have a spot. We’ve got numerous rev share prepared too if he needs to go up wherever he is going (after basketball).”
Schieffelin is in coaching and excited to see what the long run holds.
“Possibly I will be actually good, possibly I will be actually dangerous. It is one thing that was price a shot. And having the ability to put a Clemson jersey on once more is basically particular to me, and to do it this time in Demise Valley goes to be superb.”
–Discipline Stage Media