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RJ Godfrey, previously a forward for the Clemson Tigers, has made his decision to join the Arizona Wildcats through the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to reports from On3. This marks a significant addition for head coach Tommy Lloyd's squad as they prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.
Godfrey's journey to Arizona has been anything but straightforward. The 6-foot-8 forward, who hails from North Gwinnett High School in Georgia, was initially a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 188 overall prospect in the 2022 class, per the Rivals Industry Ranking, which aggregates data from major recruiting outlets.
His commitment follows a period of legal wrangling over his eligibility. Godfrey was among several athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on July 9, arguing that they were unfairly denied an extra year of play. The NCAA had introduced a new rule in June that grants future athletes five seasons of competition over five years, but it did not apply retroactively to those who had already exhausted their eligibility. The lawsuit proved successful, clearing the way for Godfrey to continue his college career.
Before settling on Arizona, Godfrey had drawn interest from other programs, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and LSU, as reported by The Greenville News. However, the Wildcats ultimately secured his commitment.
Key Analysis
Godfrey's arrival in Tucson adds a proven scorer and rebounder to Arizona's frontcourt. During the 2025-26 season, he led Clemson in scoring with 12.0 points per game and averaged 5.3 rebounds, helping the Tigers earn an NCAA Tournament berth. His career numbers across two stints with Clemson include 104 games, 33 starts, and averages of 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest, all while shooting an efficient 60% from the field.
After testing the NBA Draft waters, Godfrey went undrafted and did not sign a free-agent deal, leaving the door open for a return to college. With his eligibility now secured, Arizona stands to benefit from his experience and versatility, making this a strategic pickup for the Wildcats.
Originally reported by yahoo.