CLEMSON – The outlook of the 2023-24 basketball season couldn’t be better for the No. 13 Clemson Tigers through nine games, but injuries continue to linger into the holiday season.

Graduate guard Alex Hemenway and senior forward Jack Clark have missed the last few games for Clemson, and head coach Brad Brownell gave an update on their status as the ACC slate approaches.

“Still waiting, Jack actually was getting an MRI today so I don’t antipicate either one playing before Christmas. Just you know, I think we’re hoping that they’re progressing. They seem to be but Jack’s been a little more frustrating. Feel like he took a couple steps forward for a while then just maybe a step or two back,” Brownell said.

For Clark, it’s still a groin issue and the Tigers are going into more detail to make sure he can get back to playing shape as soon as possible. It’s still a long process, and Brownell said it’s an injury where he’s “never going to feel great all the time,” but he won’t push him if there’s a chance of reinjury.

“There’s a point where you almost have to relax their mind to know that you’re okay, you can play through some stuff. Now we’re going to have to figure it out. We’re kind of in the process with both of them on that,” Brownell said.

Hemenway continues to deal with a lower leg issue, and Clemson is taking their time with his recovery as well. To this point, the Tigers have battled through the absences of two of their key players coming into the year and Brownell’s update makes it clear that will continue until it’s time to play against ACC foes.