Zac Foster was finally nearing the end of a long comeback that began last December. Less than one week after Brad Brownell announced the sophomore guard had returned to practice, Foster now faces another grueling recovery, a process former NBA MVP Derrick Rose once called “hell.”
Clemson announced Tuesday that Foster tore the ACL in the same knee he injured during his freshman season. An MRI confirmed the injury Monday, and Clemson has not provided a timetable for his return.
Foster suffered the injury during Clemson’s closed preseason scrimmage against College of Charleston over the weekend.
“I am devastated with this news,” Foster said in a statement released by Clemson. He described facing the injury again as “a very difficult reality.”
During ACC Tipoff on Oct. 7, Brownell said Foster had “just recently got back” and begun practicing. Brownell was still being careful with him, but Foster appeared close to completing a rehabilitation process that had already lasted more than nine months.
Now Foster is back to square one. Foster’s first injury happened during Clemson’s 68-61 victory over South Carolina on Dec. 16. He drove toward the basket for a contested layup early in the first half and landed awkwardly on his right leg with 12:52 remaining.
Foster initially received treatment beside the court and had ice placed on his knee. Although crutches were brought over, he eventually walked to the locker room and did not return. He had scored two points in only two minutes before the injury ended his freshman season.
The Atlanta native spent the following months publicly documenting pieces of his recovery. In April, he posted a rehabilitation video on social media with the caption, “Working on the comeback! #ClemsonGrit.”
Foster also spoke with FOX Carolina about using journaling to strengthen his faith and handle the mental side of recovering from ACL surgery. In March, he told reporters his rehabilitation was going well and said he expected to regain his big three of explosiveness, intensity, and passion before the 2026-27 season.
He continued posting workout updates throughout the offseason but did not play during Clemson’s three-game trip to Italy to focus on getting back to full health. By October, he had progressed enough to participate in portions of practice and was once again preparing to help Clemson on the court.
Foster appeared in 12 games off the bench last season and averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 18.6 minutes per game. He recorded 30 assists against 15 turnovers and scored in double figures five times.
His best performance came against North Alabama, when he finished with a career-high 14 points, six assists, four rebounds, and zero turnovers. He also scored 12 points on the road against Alabama.
Zac Foster with a breakout game last night against North Alabama:
— Cliff Spammonds (@CliffSpammonds) November 18, 2025
14 PTS | 5-11 FG | 3-8 3PT | 6 AST | 4 REB
Had a team high +27 +/- in his 23 minutes 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GBXGZ2tndp
Foster originally arrived at Clemson basketball as a four-star recruit ranked number 70 nationally and the number 11 combo guard in the 2025 class. He was expected to compete for a starting backcourt role alongside Ace Buckner this season.
His injury will likely create a larger role for freshman guard Harris Reynolds as Clemson prepares for its Nov. 2 season opener against Stetson and also paves a clearer path for Cole Certa to likely slide aside Buckner. The Tigers are also waiting for senior forward Carter Welling to return from the ACL tear he suffered during last season’s ACC Tournament.
Brownell said his “heart hurts for Zac” and promised Clemson would keep him involved with the team throughout the recovery process.
Here is Brad Brownell’s statement on Foster’s injury: https://t.co/5BGNXvV0fGpic.twitter.com/FtWeemJyyJ
— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) October 13, 2026
Foster’s freshman season ended after 12 games. His sophomore year now faces significant uncertainty before Clemson has played its opener.
USA Today bowl projections are out: Who is Clemson expected to face?
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) October 14, 2026
📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network , USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co https://t.co/3j2yRlLNqWpic.twitter.com/iJ2Jxt5T7d
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Another Clemson starter tears ACL; season expected to be over