Clemson Women’s Basketball Reloads via Transfer Portal: Poised for Breakthrough Year

Coach Shawn Poppie and staff are building a team for "now" in 2025. (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

In just one season, head coach Shawn Poppie and his staff have laid the foundation for a new era of Clemson Women’s Basketball. While the Tigers’ 14-17 record in 2024-25 might not leap off the page, the progress on the court was clear. This team played with grit, intensity, and a refusal to back down, regardless of the opponent.

Now, heading into year two of the Poppie era, Clemson is wasting no time reloading. With several key players moving on, the coaching staff has embraced the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics by making a splash in the transfer portal. Over the last week, the Tigers have landed four significant additions, each bringing unique skillsets and experience to help Clemson contend in the highly competitive ACC.

1. Rusne Augustinaite – A Sharpshooter with International Juice

The first domino to fall was Rusne Augustinaite, a 6-foot guard transferring from Georgia Tech. Originally from Šiauliai, Lithuania, Augustinaite brings perimeter scoring and international experience to the Tigers. As a freshman in 2023-24, she led the Yellow Jackets in made threes (71), shooting 35.3% from beyond the arc while averaging 10.8 points per game. Although her role diminished slightly in her sophomore season, her shooting touch and length make her an ideal fit for Clemson’s versatile, up-tempo style.

Augustinaite is no stranger to high-level basketball. Before college, she starred at Montverde Academy and helped lead Lithuania to a U18 European Championship in 2022. Her ability to stretch the floor will be a key weapon for a Tigers offense that thrives on movement and spacing.

2. Rachael Rose – The Dynamic Playmaker Returns to the Court

Clemson’s biggest headline grabber may be Rachael Rose, a 5-foot-7 guard transferring from Wofford. Despite being limited to just six games last season due to injury, Rose made an impact, including a 23-point outing against Duke. During the 2023-24 campaign, she averaged an eye-popping 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, earning her second straight SoCon Player of the Year honor.

Rose’s blend of scoring, playmaking, and defensive tenacity gives the Tigers a high-impact guard with the experience and poise to lead. A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, her path from USC Upstate to Wofford to Clemson showcases a journey of growth that could culminate in ACC stardom.

3. Demeara Hinds – A Force in the Paint

In the frontcourt, Clemson landed a major piece in Demeara Hinds, a 6-foot forward from Wake Forest. Hinds started every game for the Demon Deacons last season, averaging 9.3 points and a team-best 5.6 rebounds while shooting over 51% from the field. Her physicality and consistency in the paint give Clemson a proven post presence and a much-needed rebounder.

Hinds’ ability to defend, finish around the rim, and play through contact will anchor a Tigers front court looking to control the interior against top-tier ACC competition. Her leadership and experience add depth and toughness to Clemson’s roster.

4. Taylor Johnson-Matthews – Versatile Scorer Brings Firepower to Clemson Backcourt

Rounding out the week’s impressive haul is Taylor Johnson-Matthews, a 5-foot-9 guard transferring from DePaul. She averaged 14.5 points and one steal per game last season, showcasing an aggressive scoring mindset and two-way impact. Known for her quick first step and scoring versatility, Johnson-Matthews adds another dimension to the Tigers' guard rotation.

Her arrival brings a legitimate scoring threat and adds to the Tigers' impressive backcourt. It also reflects Clemson’s commitment to building a veteran core capable of pushing for postseason play.

Building a Contender in Clemson Women's Basketball

With four high-level transfers joining the fold, Coach Poppie is crafting a roster that blends scoring, toughness, and leadership. Clemson’s combo-style offense, where any player can shoot, drive, or create, gets a significant boost with these additions, and the Tigers look poised to take a leap forward in 2025-26.

This aggressive and calculated use of the transfer portal signals that Clemson is no longer in rebuild mode, they’re reloading, and fast. If year one was about setting the tone, year two could be about making noise in the ACC.

Stay tuned because this team isn’t done yet.