CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just over a week before Clemson opens the 2015-16 basketball season with an exhibition against Lenior-Rhyne, backup center Sidy Djitte underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus on Monday.

Brad Brownell announced the news on Wednesday, during the ACC’s Operation Basketball event at the Ritz-Carlton.

“The surgery went well,” Brownell said. “He’s been playing well, so that was a little bit of step back for us, because he’s probably going to miss…we’re going to scrimmage Charleston here pretty soon and the first exhibition — I don’t think he’ll be able to play in any of those.”

As a freshman last season, Djitte appeared in 30 games. He scored 2.1 points and grabbed 3.2 rebounds over 11 minutes per contest.

Jaron Blossomgame believes Djitte is the team’s most improved player since their 2014-15 run ended at the ACC Tournament.

“You can tell he’s comfortable out there on the perimeter. He’s comfortable in our system making plays,” Blossomgame said. “He’s a relentless rebounder. He can score the ball with his back to the basket now. That’s something that he struggled with last year, but now he can get a jump hook and shoot it with either hand.

“He can get an offensive rebound and shoot a 17-foot jump shot. He’s been working on his game.”

Through the first few weeks of practice, his improved play has pushed Landry Nnoko, a 64-game starter.

“He’s got to compete against Sidy,” Brownell said. “If he doesn’t compete at a high level, Sidy will out-play him, and Landry knows that.”

Clemson is also missing sophomore transfer Legend Robertin, who had six teeth removed on Friday. The England native missed the last few practices, including Saturday’s team scrimmage.

Robertin continues to wait for clearance from the NCAA, so once he’s good to go medically, he’ll still have another hurdle to clear.

“He won’t participate in our scrimmage against Charleston. There’s some clearinghouse things he’s got to get past…we’re waiting on all that and that all has to be sent to the clearinghouse,” Brownell said. “It’s all coming, but it will take a little while, another couple of weeks, I would imagine.”

Next Thursday’s exhibition will tip at 7 o’clock in Greenville at The Bon Secours Wellness Arena.