CLEMSON – Very quietly, Jestin Porter has become Clemson’s second leading scorer, while also becoming its best defensive player.

Porter is the only Tiger to score more than 20 points in a game this season, and he has done it twice in the last three games – both on the road.

The graduate transfer from Middle Tennessee scored 21 points at Pitt on Jan. 3, and then a week later produced a season-high 26 points in Clemson’s win at Notre Dame.

“It is kind of nothing new. It is just the preparation going into the game,” Porter said after the Tigers’ win on Saturday.

It might not be anything new, but it sure does look good. At one point this past Saturday, Porter dropped in nine straight points, allowing Clemson (14-3, 4-0 ACC) to grab control of the game.

And it was not just on the offensive end for the Tigers. Porter also had a career-day defensively, as he had five of Clemson’s seven steals. Each of his steals turned into instant baskets or in one case, two free throws.

“I guess the scouting (report),” said Porter on his record-setting day. “We had to come out and be aggressive on defense. We did not want them to feel comfortable or feel like they could do what they want on offense, so we stayed aggressive on defense.”

It is not just Notre Dame Porter has caused havoc too. He also harassed No. 24 SMU recently, as he produced four steals in the Tigers’ win last Wednesday night.

“He has really good speed. I think guys like that, who are small, are hard to screen,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said about Porter’s defense. “They can maneuver through some screens sometimes. I also think they are not seen as easily. So, on crosscourt passes, you do not notice him, and he is jumping out and knocking a couple down.”

A little more than halfway through the regular season, Porter is second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 points. As for steals, he has 22 already, averaging just over one per game.

However, the ones he had against the Irish on Saturday, were very needed.  

“Those were big plays to certainly get us some easy baskets in a game where it was hard to score. Those were important,” Brownell said.

Porter will try to do it at home on Tuesday when the Tigers host Boston College at Littlejohn Coliseum for a 7 p.m., tipoff.