Clemson's backcourt this season has revolved around sophomore Shawan Robinson and Vernon Hamilton splitting time at the point guard position. But next year 2004 recruit Cliff Hammonds of Cairo High in Cairo, Ga will vie for playing time.

 

 Hammonds is a 6'3 185-pound combo guard, who is currently averaging 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.5 steals per game.  He is also academically qualified with a 4.0 GPA and a SAT score of 1200.  Hammonds is one of the most underrated guards in the nation, and he is among the best unsigned players, period.

 

"He has a complete game -- he scores, rebounds, and plays defense well," said Isaiah Chance, Cairo's basketball coach "The kid will do anything that you ask of him, he is a student of the game, who readily displays a high IQ on and off the court." Chance states, "Cliff's a great person with a great attitude..........I could coach for another twenty-two years and I don't know if I would find another kid like him."

 

Cliff Hammonds led Cairo to a Region 1-AAAA championship and a trip to the Georgia AAAA Final Four , where they lost to eventual champ- Mays High. Hammonds was held to 19 points in the game.

 

Here is a look at his stats from two other playoff games:

 

vs Statesboro   23 points  12 rebounds  6 assists  3 steals

 

vs Troup           24 points  8  rebounds   9 assists  9 steals

 

Quick Fact: Like current Clemson guard Vernon Hamilton, Hammonds is an excellent athlete who was recruited as a wide receiver or safety prospect by many DI football programs.  He was pursued by the likes of Stanford, Vanderbilt, Duke, and others.