It was the kind of play that might have elicited laughter a year ago, maybe even a week ago.

Sidy Djitte caught the basketball at the high post. He looked for an open teammate so he could deliver an outlet pass, but nothing was available. No one came to receive a handoff.

It was just Sidy Djitte and a defender, and the 6’10” big man went to work. He faced his opponent, made a move toward the baseline, then stretched to the other side of the hoop to offer a reverse layup.

He missed that layup, but he rebounded the miss and drew a foul on the follow attempt. The skill, the quickness, the persistence—it was a picture of the new and improved Sidy Djitte, albeit without the finish at the rim.

The sophomore center finished enough baskets to earn that mulligan on Thursday night, earning his first career double-double in Clemson’s 76-56 win over Texas Southern at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Djitte poured in 13 points—ten of which came after halftime—and snagged 11 rebounds in the victory. He was one of five Tigers in double figures, and he led Clemson to a +11 rebounding margin against a Texas Southern team that was outmanned underneath.

After letting the visiting Tigers bomb away from the perimeter en route to a two-point halftime lead, Clemson’s head coach refocused his team on its best path to victory.

“Whatever we’ve got to do to get it inside, get it inside,” Brad Brownell said of his halftime message. “We’ve got a size advantage here.”

Djitte was a big part of the plan, and he delivered. With his team leading by a bucket at 37-35, the sophomore converted on back-to-back layups. Three minutes later, he added another to increase the lead to double figures.

Then came the aforementioned play that showcased how far Djitte has come this offseason—and where he could still use some seasoning.

Brownell saw the progress the tall and lanky center made this summer as he worked diligently with Clemson’s staff—specifically post guru Mike Winiecki—in an effort to refine his game. Clemson’s head coach spoke confidently about those enhancements to the press during preseason camp. Djitte proved his coach right on Thursday.

“It’s a credit to him because it’s been a product of two years of labor,” Brownell said. “We’re starting to see the results.”

“It’s just great to feel like my teammates can count on me finishing around the rim,” Djitte said. “I know that I can help them a lot on the defensive side, but I need to be able to help them on offense. That’s good for me, and for them, too.”

When asked about the biggest difference in his game from last season until right now, Djitte was direct and confident. His statement was basic and general, but it said everything that needed to be said to cap off his career night.

“I got better. I worked hard this summer, and I got better,” he said. “That’s what it is.”