Clemson added a talented piece to its 2018 recruiting class on Wednesday when Hoover (Ala.) four-star big man Trey Jemison committed to the Tigers.

Jemison (6-11, 240) spoke with The Clemson Insider shortly after announcing his decision.

“The coaching staff, the teammates and everybody around the program are just great people,” Jemison said. “We all really care for each other, and I think that’s a huge thing when you’re going to play four years of college basketball.

“They have great academics and have a great coaching staff that develops players and sends them to the league. It all added up for me to go play there.”

Jemison made his official visit to Clemson last weekend and left with no doubts about where he wanted to continue his basketball career.

“It did seal the deal,” he said.

Clemson has been recruiting Jemison for two years. Dick Bender serves as his primary recruiter and played a key role in helping the Tigers land him.

“That’s my guy. It was huge,” Jemison said. “Me and coach Bender talked, legit, four times a week. Some days it wasn’t even about basketball. We just talked to each other and caught up.”

Bender was thrilled when Jemison called him to deliver the big news.

“He was so excited,” Jemison said. “I could tell in his voice he was excited.”

Clemson beat out Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Harvard and others for Jemison’s pledge.

Jemison transferred to Hoover from Homewood (Ala.) over the summer. He has a 7-foot, 2-inch wingspan and earned all-state honors in the 6A classification as a junior last season.

What can Clemson fans expect to see from him on the hardwood in the future?

“Being an overall leader on the team and playing great defense, rebounding and blocking shots,” Jemison said.

Jemison is ranked as the No. 3 power forward in Alabama, No. 42 power forward nationally and No. 161 overall prospect in his class.

He joins Greensboro (N.C.) Day guard John Newman and Monroe (N.C.) Piedmont forward Hunter Tyson in Brad Brownell’s 2018 class.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the family,” Jemison said. “Hopefully we’ll be competing in the tournament very soon when I get there.”