Carter Welling injury update: Brad Brownell details ‘frustrating’ recovery

This offseason was an extremely important one for Clemson, which worked hard to retain head coach Brad Brownell as well as turn over what is almost a completely new roster (it returns just 7% of its offensive production from last season).

Utah Valley forward Carter Welling was an instrumental add to Clemson‘s transfer portal class, as he will be tasked to replace the production that forward Ian Schieffelin poured in over his tenure. Welling however had foot surgery and missed the entire summer, leaving a whole in the team through workouts.

Brownell gave an update on Welling and his health on Tuesday during a media opportunity.

“We’re hopeful that (next week’s our last week of summer work) he’s gonna come out and do some 5-on-0,” Brownell said. “He literally has not done any basketball this summer. He’s just had surgery and he’s been able to do a few conditioning things the last week or two but he’s not doing any jumping or anything of basketball note, which that’s been frustrating.”

Brownell says Welling should be ready to go by August

“A little challenging for the staff because we see him as a big piece and not being able to get him integrated into our offense makes us feel like we’re a post player light this summer,” Brownell continued. “So we haven’t been able to do all the things we’d like, but it’s just what you’ve got to deal with. So that’ll be fun to get him back when he comes back in August and is hopefully cleared and ready to go.”

Welling spent the 2024-25 season at Utah Valley after transferring from UC-Irvine. In two collegiate seasons, the Draper, UT native averages 10.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year last year and earned Second Team All-WAC honors, leading the Wolverines to a WAC Regular Season Championship and a berth in the NIT Tournament (eliminated in first round by San Francisco).

The 6-foot-10 forward is one of six portal pieces the Tigers hauled in this offseason, joined by former Middle Tennessee guard Jestin Porter, former Nevada forward Nick Davidson, former UAB guard Efrem Johnson, former Georgia forward RJ Godfrey and former Utah forward Jake Wahlin.

Clemson has enjoyed one of its strongest stretches in school history recently, as the Tigers are 74-30 (71.15%) over the past three seasons with two NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the Elite Eight in 2024.