Bernard Sullivan beating back asthma, making progress in Tigers' rotation

CLEMSON — This Clemson basketball season has been defined by its youngest members.

Brad Brownell has played five different freshmen in the rotation this winter, a big reason why the Tigers are an inconsistent 11-11 (3-5 in ACC play) entering tonight’s 7 p.m. game with Maryland.

They’re 1-7 in games decided by five points or less, including Saturday’s disappointing 67-65 loss at Virginia Tech.

It was fitting that on a day one of those five freshmen had his best career game, he was forced to ride back to the Upstate with a team manager – because he didn’t have his ID with him.

That’s how freshman forward Bernard Sullivan’s day unfolded. Sullivan had an outstanding impact in only nine minutes, scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds, both career highs.

On Thursday, Sullivan attended an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) service and left his bookbag – with the ID inside – in the auditorium.

The bookbag was eventually recovered, but not in time for Sullivan to have it for the Tigers’ charter flight to Virginia Tech. Officials let Sullivan get on the plane in Clemson, but he didn’t want to chance getting turned away at the gate.

He and a manager took the four-plus-hour trip back in a car. Sullivan actually stopped off in Charlotte and stayed with his family Saturday night, returning to Clemson Sunday.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be,” he said. “I told my mom, I left my bookbag, and thank God they found it. They hadn’t seen me in a while. I was glad I lost it and then found it. Getting some time to spend with my family was great.”

Lost-then-found is a fitting description of Sullivan’s progress this season. Rated as one of the nation’s top 20 forward prospects when he signed with the Tigers, he has been slowed dramatically by asthma.

Trainers have used a variety of remedies – giving him medications like Advair and Alavert as well as breathing treatments before games and practices, and they’ve worked, albeit slowly.

Sullivan is trying to wean himself off the breathing treatments, too.

“Last night, I had no problems breathing, everything’s feeling good,” he said. “I went as hard as I could as much as I could.

“I’m 100 percent now. I stopped use of some things I’ve been doing before practice, like a breathing treatment, just to see where the asthma is and if I can go without some of the treatment. (At Virginia Tech) I went without treatment and played well. It’s getting better.”

Now that he is healthy (well, healthier), Sullivan’s athletic potential is shining through. He has low-post presence, but also possesses a nice mid-range jumper and can make moves similar to those that Trevor and Devin Booker have displayed on Littlejohn’s court recently.

Brownell says Sullivan is making clear progress.

“Some of (his struggles) are his health,” Brownell said. “He’s doing better and getting caught up in all areas, not just physically. He’s understanding what he has to do to have a better chance to play.”