CLEMSON BASKETBALL

Hammonds to Help Clemson Backcourt


by - Correspondent -

Clemson's backcourt this season revolved around Shawan Robinson and Vernon Hamilton splitting time at the point guard position. But next year, 2004 signee Cliff Hammonds of Cairo High in Cairo, Ga will look to give some much needed help to that position.

Hammonds is a 6'3 185-pound combo guard, who averaged 22 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4.5 steals per game during his senior season. He is also academically qualified with a 4.0 GPA and a SAT score of 1200. Hammonds could be one of the most underrated guards in the nation (#21 point guard by TheInsiders.com), and he was definitely among the best unsigned players in the second signing period.

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"He has a complete game -- he scores, rebounds, and plays defense well," said Isaiah Chance, Cairo's basketball coach "The kid will do anything that you ask of him, he is a student of the game, who readily displays a high IQ on and off the court." Chance states, "Cliff's a great person with a great attitude..........I could coach for another twenty-two years and I don't know if I would find another kid like him."

"Cliff brings the total package to college basketball," said Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell. "He is a tremendous all-around athlete, having competed in football, basketball and track in high school. He is also a tremendous student. Now that he will be concentrating on basketball, he has the potential to be an outstanding guard at both positions. Cliff will also bring a mental toughness to the program."

Cliff Hammonds led Cairo to a Region 1-AAAA championship and a trip to the Georgia AAAA Final Four , where they lost to eventual champ- Mays High. Hammonds was held to 19 points in the game.

Here is a look at his stats from two other playoff games:

vs Statesboro 23 points 12 rebounds 6 assists 3 steals

vs Troup 24 points 8 rebounds 9 assists 9 steals

Quick Fact: Like current Clemson guard Vernon Hamilton, Hammonds is an excellent athlete who was recruited as a wide receiver or safety prospect by many DI football programs. He was pursued by the likes of Stanford, Vanderbilt, Duke, and others.

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