Ex-Syracuse Gaurd Joe Girard Commits to Clemson
After four successful years at Syracuse University under legendary coach Jim Boeheim, Joe Girard has decided on his next destination. The 6'1 195 pound guard committed to Clemson on Sunday with a tweet that read, "Clemson, Let's Do This Thing! #BeDifferent".
Girard will become an immediate boost for this Clemson offense under Brad Bownell as he averaged double digits in points in three of his four years at Syracuse and the only aberration was a season where he averaged 9.8 instead. His career, in the slightly different shade of orange, culminated with a senior season averaging 16.4 points and 3 assists while shooting 38% from three.
Joe Girard averaged 16.4 points per game last season.
LSU seemed to be the other school in the running late but ultimately the Tigers in South Carolina won out over the ones in Louisiana.
According to 247Sports, Girard was a high 3-star prospect ranked as the 203rd-best player in the country overall. Out of Glenn Falls, New York, he committed to Syracuse in October of 2018 and has been with them until now. Out of high school Jerry Meyer, 247Sports' Director of Basketball Scouting, had this to say about the new Tiger: "Undersized for shooting guard. Plays with strength but average athleticism. Deadly shooter. Put up prodigious scoring numbers in high school but modest numbers on the Nike EYBL circuit. Good ballhandler. More of a set-up guy than a penetrator. Needs to work on defense and rebounding. Will knock down shots in college."
While Girard has expanded his game some in the last few years this report still holds mostly true. However, Coach Brownell wasn't looking for a superstar who could do everything by himself. Girard will open up lanes for the rest of Clemson's team to drive due to his high percentage shooting numbers and should allow the offense to have a smoother flow overall.
