Former Stone Memorial, Belmont Basketball Standout Tessa Miller Transfers To Clemson

By Michael Lindsay

 

Crossville native Tessa Miller is making the jump to Power 5 basketball as the former Stone Memorial Lady Panther announced her transfer to Clemson University from Belmont on Wednesday.

“It’s super exciting,” said Miller. “All the credit to Belmont; I left on really good terms and they were nothing but supportive to me. I’m so excited for this next chapter in my life and I feel like it’s really going to push me.”

Miller graduated from Stone Memorial High School in 2021 following four years with the Lady Panthers. Miller was a Miss Basketball finalist her senior season and helped lead Stone Memorial to the Class 3A state semifinals before the COVID-19 cancelation as a junior.

“The college transition is insanely different from high school,” said Miller. “The pace of play speeds up and everybody is my size or bigger. It took a lot of adjusting, but the more you’re out there it comes pretty naturally.

While at Belmont, Miller averaged 14.4 points and 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season and was named All-Missouri Valley Conference. Miller recorded a season-high 25 points against Murray State along with 24 points and 12 rebounds against Georgia. Miller also had success in the Big Dance while at Belmont as the Lady Bruins defeated #5-seeded Oregon in the NCAA tournament her freshman season.

“At Belmont, they always made sure to play a tough schedule,” said Miller. “I feel confident having played some of those bigger names and great athletes that they’ve put me in a position to integrate myself into the ACC pretty well.”

Clemson announced Shawn Poppie as the new women’s head basketball coach on March 26, followed by assistants Jonathan Goldberg, Katelyn Grisillo, and Jayda Worthy and associate head coach Chris Ayers.

“I’ve known coach Goldberg since high school, and he’s a great person,” said Miller. “The coaching staff is so amazing and so welcoming. They made such a scary process so enjoyable for me. They welcomed me and were like family.”

The Lady Tigers are expected to tip off the 2024-’25 season in November.

“I’ve got to work,” said Miller. “I have to get in the gym. I can’t wait to get on campus and start working with the team. I’ve got a lot to get done and a lot of goals for this year.”