Clemson's Brad Brownell prevented Ian Schieffelin from comparing himself to Kobe Bryant after Sweet 16 win
Six-seed Clemson upsetting two-seed Arizona got the 2024 men’s Sweet 16 started off with a bang, as the Tigers advanced to the Elite Eight in style on Thursday night.
Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin was part of the offensive excellence that powered the Tigers past the Wildcats to the tune of 14 points on the night.
After the game, someone reportedly asked Schieffelin about his Kobe Bryant-themed game shoes and if he felt like he was playing like the Los Angeles Lakers legend while wearing them.
Well, Clemson coach Brad Brownell saved Schieffelin from accidentally making too lofty of a comparison for himself with a very funny quip once the question was asked.
“Let’s please not compare yourself to Kobe Bryant,” Brownell joked, per The Post and Courier‘s Jon Blau, You’re playing well, but…”
Ian Schieffelin is asked about the Kobe Bryant sneakers he's wearing and if he felt like Kobe out there.
Brad Brownell interjects: "Let's please not compare yourself to Kobe Bryant. You’re playing well, but … "
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) March 29, 2024
Later, Brownell tried to compare Schieffelin to former NBA player and WNBA coach Bill Laimbeer, who Schieffelin said he didn’t know, per SportsTalk Media Network.
#Clemson postgame: Ian Schieffelin is wearing Kobe Bryant shoes …. Brownell said he's more like Bill Laimbeer. Schieffelin admitted he didn't know who Laimbeer was
— SportsTalk Media Network (@sportstalksc) March 29, 2024
Schieffelin and his Clemson teammates are going to get plenty of spotlight on them as they continue to push for a spot in the Final Four, but it sure sounds like Brownell is going to keep his guys grounded on the way up… and show them some Laimbeer highlights for good measure.