Zac Foster's Second ACL Tear Leaves Clemson Without a Timetable
An MRI on Oct. 12 confirmed the Clemson sophomore guard re-tore the ACL in the same knee after nine-plus months of rehab, and the program set no timetable for his return.
Photo: Clemson Athletics. Official Zac Foster headshot, Clemson men's basketball.
Zac Foster re-tore the ACL in the same knee he first tore last December, Clemson announced Tuesday after an MRI on Monday, Oct. 12. The program set no timetable for his return.
Foster went down driving against South Carolina on Dec. 16, 2025, in a 68-61 win, and an MRI the next day confirmed the first tear. Brad Brownell said in Tuesday's release that Foster had worked tirelessly for nine-plus months to get back on the floor.
Foster said in the release, "I am devastated with this news."
The 6-foot-4 sophomore came to Clemson from Atlanta's Woodward Academy as a four-star combo guard, ranked No. 70 overall in the 2025 class per the school's bio. In 12 games last season he averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 18.6 minutes, shot 81.8% at the line and scored in double figures five times. His best game was 14 points with six assists and zero turnovers against North Alabama on Nov. 17. Before the South Carolina injury he led the team in assists.
Brownell said at ACC Tipoff that Foster had only recently returned and was starting to practice a little.
Clemson is also without Carter Welling. The senior forward tore his ACL in March, and Brownell said at Tipoff he was still a couple of months from being in position to play.
Clemson hosts Georgia in an exhibition on Oct. 23 and Presbyterian on Oct. 28, then opens the regular season against Stetson on Nov. 2 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Clemson has not given a surgical plan or return window.
Sources
- Clemson Athletics: Zac Foster Suffers Torn ACL to Same Knee. Oct. 13, 2026. MRI Oct. 12 confirmed torn ACL to same knee; no timetable; Brownell nine-plus months; player statement.
- Jon Rothstein on X. Oct. 13, 2026. Re-torn ACL per release; no timetable.
- Clemson Athletics: Zac Foster Suffers Torn ACL on Tuesday Night. Dec. 17, 2025. First ACL tear vs South Carolina; MRI Wednesday; no timetable.
- The State: Promising Clemson basketball guard out for season with torn ACL. Dec. 17, 2025. Dec. 16 injury vs USC 68-61; drive; led team in assists before injury.
- Clemson Athletics: Zac Foster roster bio. 6-4, 190, So.; 12 games, 6.9/2.8/2.5 in 18.6 mpg; 81.8% FT; career-high 14 vs North Alabama; No. 70 overall / four-star.
- On3 / Tiger Illustrated: Clemson Basketball's Zac Foster suffers torn ACL to same knee. Oct. 13, 2026. Matches athletics release.
- Rubbing the Rock: Brownell updates on Zac Foster and Carter Welling. ACC Tipoff: recently back practicing a little; Welling a couple months away after March ACL.
- Clemson Athletics: 2026-27 schedule. Georgia exhibition Oct. 23; Presbyterian Oct. 28; Stetson Nov. 2, 7 p.m. ET.
- Photo: Clemson Athletics. Official Zac Foster headshot, Clemson men's basketball.
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