CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson defender Hamady Diop became the second Tiger to be drafted first overall in the MLS SuperDraft when Charlotte FC traded up to select the Senegal native. Diop is the fourth top-five pick from Clemson in the last four seasons. No other school has had more than two top-5 picks over the past four seasons.
During Head Coach Mike Noonan’s 13-year tenure at the helm of Clemson’s program, the Tigers have had 26 players selected in the annual MLS SuperDraft, with 15 of those players having been drafted during the past four seasons.
No other school has had more than two top-5 picks over the past four seasons 🤯. Five schools have had two selections across past four drafts
Left back Joey Skinner was selected with the 11th overall pick to Nashville SC, and became the eighth first round pick in the Mike Noonan era.
Senior Isaiah Reid was the 34th player off the board, as the Houston Dynamo used the fifth pick of the second round to select the Rock Hill, S.C. native. Reid’s selection marked the fourth consecutive season in which Clemson has had at least three players taken in the MLS SuperDraft. Clemson is the only program to have at least three selections in each of the last four seasons.
Hamady Diop • Pick #1
Charlotte FC traded up to $450,000 in general allocation money as well as its first round selection (20th overall) for the right to select Diop first overall. The center back has been a staple of Clemson’s defense over the past two seasons, and is a back-to-back All-ACC second team selection.
🚨FIRST OVERALL PICK🚨
With the FIRST pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, Charlotte FC selects Hamady Diop!!!
Congratulations, Hamady! Can’t wait for you to take this next step 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cU9DXoeDaK
— Clemson Men’s Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December 21, 2022
Across his 40 starts and 42 appearances for the Tigers, Diop collected seven goals and three assists while anchoring the back line.
Joey Skinner • Pick #11
Skinner transferred to Clemson following his freshman season at UNCG, where he played in 18 matches and scored four goals en route to an All-SoCon first team nod. In his sophomore season at Clemson, Skinner led the team in minutes played (1,744), scoring two goals and adding an assist.
🚨Another Tiger off the board!!🚨
Congratulations to Joey Skinner, the 11th overall pick to Nashville SC! So proud of you, Joey!! pic.twitter.com/fMu2iQVUl3
— Clemson Men’s Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) December…