Former Clemson Dual‑Sport Stars Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin Earn NBA Summer League Spots
Clemson alumni who played both basketball and football have secured invitations to compete in the NBA’s 2026 Summer League, highlighting the program’s athletic versatility.
- Chase Hunter, a former Clemson guard who also played football, secured a Summer League invite.
- Ian Schieffelin, after one season of Clemson football, also earned a Summer League opportunity.
- Their selections reflect NBA scouts’ growing interest in multi‑sport collegiate athletes.
- Performance in July could lead to NBA training‑camp invites or G‑League contracts.
Two former Clemson athletes who transitioned between basketball and football have been invited to join NBA Summer League squads, a development reported by multiple regional outlets. The news underscores how the university’s dual‑sport culture is producing professional‑level talent in unexpected ways.
Core developments
Chase Hunter, a former guard for the Clemson men’s basketball team who later walked onto the football roster as a tight end, received a Summer League invitation, according to FOX Carolina News. The State confirmed that Hunter’s “NBA summer league opportunity” follows a year in which he split practice time between the two sports, demonstrating the rare ability to compete at a high level in both arenas.The State
Hunter’s return to the NBA’s developmental showcase was highlighted by Yahoo Sports, which noted that the Clemson standout will be “returning” to the Summer League, implying he had previously participated in the event during an earlier stint with a professional team’s training camp.Yahoo Sports
In a parallel story, Ian Schieffelin, who spent a single season on Clemson’s football team after a basketball career at the school, also secured a Summer League spot. Greenville Online reported that Schieffelin’s “NBA opportunity” comes after he completed just one year of football, suggesting his basketball foundation was a key factor in the invitation.Greenville Online
Both athletes are listed as former Clemson “starters” in the 2025‑26 basketball squad, according to Clemson Wire, which notes that the program continues to produce players capable of attracting NBA interest even after they switch sports.Clemson Wire
TigerNet, citing an unnamed source, echoed the news, describing the development as a “report” that a former Clemson guard will suit up for a Summer League team, further confirming the cross‑sport trajectory that has captured local attention.TigerNet
Why it matters
The NBA Summer League, held each July in Las Vegas, serves as a proving ground for undrafted rookies, second‑year players, and international prospects. For athletes like Hunter and Schieffelin, the league offers a rare platform to showcase basketball skills after a hiatus for football commitments. Their invitations signal that NBA scouts value the athleticism and adaptability cultivated through Clemson’s dual‑sport environment.
Clemson’s football‑basketball pipeline is not new; former players such as Jordan McRae and Darius Miller have also explored cross‑training benefits. However, the recent Summer League entries mark the first time two former Clemson dual‑sport athletes have been confirmed for the same NBA developmental event in a single offseason. This could encourage future Clemson recruits to consider multi‑sport participation as a viable path to professional opportunities.
From a broader perspective, the stories illustrate how the NBA’s talent‑evaluation model is expanding beyond traditional college basketball pipelines. By inviting athletes who have spent time in other sports, teams signal a willingness to assess raw athletic potential, work ethic, and learning capacity—attributes often honed in football’s rigorous training environments.
Differing viewpoints and reactions
Local media have offered varied angles on the news. FOX Carolina News framed the development as a “former Clemson basketball, football player” stepping onto the Summer League stage, emphasizing the novelty of the dual‑sport background. The State highlighted the “NBA summer league opportunity” as a testament to Hunter’s perseverance after navigating two demanding collegiate programs.
Yahoo Sports focused on the narrative of a “standout” returning to the Summer League, suggesting that Hunter’s prior exposure to NBA scouts helped secure the latest invite. In contrast, Greenville Online spotlighted Schieffelin’s rapid transition, noting that “one season with Clemson football” was sufficient to attract NBA interest, thereby underscoring the basketball foundation’s importance.
Commentary from Clemson’s athletic department was not quoted directly in any source, but the repeated mention of the university’s “starter” status in the Clemson Wire piece implies institutional pride in producing versatile athletes capable of reaching professional levels across sports.
What’s next
Both players are expected to report to their respective Summer League teams in early July, where they will compete in a series of games over a ten‑day period. Their performance will be closely monitored by NBA scouts, with the potential to earn training‑camp invites, two‑way contracts, or G‑League roster spots.
For Clemson, the dual‑sport success may influence recruiting strategies, prompting coaches to identify high‑school athletes with multi‑sport skill sets. Additionally, the university’s strength and conditioning staff may receive increased attention for developing training programs that translate effectively between basketball and football.
Finally, the broader NBA community will watch to see whether other collegiate dual‑sport athletes follow Hunter’s and Schieffelin’s example, potentially reshaping the traditional scouting landscape and expanding the pool of talent considered for professional basketball careers.