Clemson’s Dillon Hunter Out for Season After Breaking Hand in ACC Tournament Win
Clemson junior guard Dillon Hunter has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, including the NCAA Tournament, after suffering a broken hand during the Tigers’ 57-54 victory over No. 6 seed SMU in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night.
Head coach Brad Brownell confirmed the news on Friday, as reported by basketball analyst Jeff Goodman.
“Clemson’s Dillon Hunter broke his hand in yesterday’s game and is out for the rest of the season,” Brownell told Field of 68, according to Goodman.
Injury Details and Impact
Hunter sustained the injury while attempting to make a steal early in the second half. He played just eight minutes before exiting and was later spotted on the sidelines with a soft cast on his hand.
Following the win over SMU, Brownell expressed his disappointment over losing such a key player.
“I don’t think it’s good. I think he probably broke his hand,” Brownell said. “It’s a little bit of an emotional letdown for your team when a guy has been playing so hard. You get to this time of year, you want to play, and it goes sideways.”
Hunter’s Key Role for Clemson
This season, Hunter has been an essential piece for Clemson, averaging 5.4 points and 23 minutes per game, with nine starts. His defensive versatility and ability to facilitate made him a crucial part of the Tigers’ success.
“Dillon is like the ultimate glue guy for us,” Brownell said. “He’s got an unbelievable assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s a really good defender, both on and off the ball. [A] facilitator, and he doesn’t really need to score. He’ll shoot an open shot – and he’s experienced. I should say that too. So, yeah, it’s a little harder [without him].”
Who Will Step Up?
With Hunter out, junior guard Jake Heidbreder is expected to take on a larger role. Heidbreder (6-foot-5) played 22 minutes against SMU and has averaged 4.2 points per game in limited action. However, his 40% three-point shooting could help space the floor for Clemson.
Additionally, freshman point guard Del Jones (6-foot-2) is likely to see increased minutes, with Brownell emphasizing that the team will need to adjust its rotation.
“Obviously, Del Jones is a freshman. He’s going to get a few more minutes. He’s kind of a jitterbug guard that’s learning how to play, gives you great energy,” Brownell said. “And then, Jake Heidbreder is a little bit more of a three-point shooter. They don’t play like Dillon, so it’s different and something we’re going to have to adjust with going forward. But certainly, it will be a great opportunity for those other guys on our team.”
What’s Next for Clemson?
Despite losing Hunter, No. 3 seed Clemson (27-5) will look to continue its strong postseason push, facing No. 2 seed Louisville (26-6) in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday night at 9:30 P.M. EST.
The Tigers are projected to make the NCAA Tournament, but Hunter’s absence means they will need to rely on Heidbreder, Jones, and other key players to help fill the gap as they chase a deep March Madness run.
