Clemson basketball lands transfer portal commitment from mid-major guard
Clemson basketball has landed its fourth transfer portal commit.
Former UAB guard Efrem “Butta” Johnson has committed to the Tigers, he announced via social media on Sunday. He has one season of eligibility remaining and is Clemson’s first transfer commitment at the guard position.
Johnson started 21 of 37 games for the Blazers last year and averaged 8.8 points per game while shooting 36.7% from the field and 32% on 3-pointers.
He is 6-foot-4, 180 pounds and goes by the nickname “Butta” and joins F Nick Davidson (Nevada), F Carter Welling (Utah Valley) and F RJ Godfrey (Georgia) as portal commits for coach Brad Brownell’s squad.
With Johnson’s commitment, Clemson is up to 10 scholarship players.
The Tigers had addressed their frontcourt needs by adding Davidson, Welling and Godfrey but were still seeking guard help with veterans Chase Hunter and Jaeden Zackery leaving. Junior Dillon Hunter was the only returning guard with game experience, let alone starting experience.
Now Clemson has added a veteran piece to the puzzle. Johnson was seeking a new home after three seasons with UAB, which competes in the American Athletic Conference. The Blazers have won 20-plus games each of the past three years.
Johnson experienced a statistical dip, going from 30.9 minutes and 11.2 points per game as a sophomore to 26.9 minutes and 8.8 points as a junior. His field goal percentage and 3-point percentage also dropped.
Still, he had 14 games of 10-plus points, six of 15-plus and three of 20-plus.
Clemson had 13 scholarship players on last year’s roster, so the Tigers could add another portal player or two (likely at guard) to fill out next season’s roster. Basketball teams can have as many as 15 scholarship players starting in 2025-26.
The Tigers went 27-7 this season, setting school records for total wins and ACC wins, before getting upset by McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Clemson basketball 2025 roster outlook
Among scholarship players
- Out of eligibility (5): G Chase Hunter, G Jaeden Zackery (looking into a JUCO waiver but unlikely to return), F Ian Schieffelin, F Myles Foster, F Viktor Lakhin
- Transferring out (5): G Del Jones, F Asa Thomas, F Chauncey Wiggins (Florida State), G Jake Heidbreder, C Christian Reeves
- Transferring in (4): F Nick Davidson (Nevada), F Carter Welling (Utah Valley), F RJ Godfrey (Georgia), G Efrem Johnson (UAB)
- Returning to team (3): G Dillon Hunter, G Ace Buckner, F Dallas Thomas
- Incoming freshmen (3): G Zac Foster, F Chase Thompson, C Trent Steinour
This story was originally published April 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM.
