Ex-Clemson Forward Ben Middlebrooks Transfers to N.C. State
All Clemson reported on Jack Clark moving from N.C. State to Clemson. Now it appears as if the ACC is doing its best NBA impression as the Wolfpack will get another transfer in return. Rising junior Ben Middlebrooks will go from the cats to the dogs as he commits to N.C. State out of the Transfer Portal.
Middlebrooks played two seasons for Clemson and averaged 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in just around 11 minutes a game. Clearly, not the greatest stat line that has entered the Transfer Portal this offseason but the big forward showed enough to head coach Kevin Keatts and his staff to garner him a spot on the 2023-24 Wolfpack roster which made the NCAA Tournament this past season.
It should be noted that these two programs share some recent history as there was drama due to the fact that N.C. State made the big dance and Clemson didn't despite the Wolfpack finishing lower in the conference standings and (it's a big and) losing 3 separate times to the Tigers during the regular season and conference tournament.
The 6'10 big man will look to have a more solid rotation role in Raleigh than he did in Clemson but his time there will be remembered fondly. His caption from his Instagram account as he announced his decision to transfer read, "First I want to thank the coaches and staff at Clemson, as well as everyone there that I've worked with the past two years. My time there has been amazing, and Clemson will always hold a place in my heart. With that said, I have entered my name into the transfer portal."
His very next post announced his commitment to the conference opponent by saying, "The journey continues!." The journey next season will be interesting indeed as Clark and Middlebrooks will be sure to have a couple of battles that will be fun for all to watch.
