DECATUR, Ill. — After helping lead Decatur MacArthur to one of the most successful seasons in program history, former Generals standouts Tishawn Clemmons and Khymir Carson are already making an impact at the collegiate level.
The two guards were instrumental in MacArthur’s remarkable 34–2 campaign last winter, which included an undefeated Central State Eight Conference championship and a trip to the IHSA Class 3A Super-Sectional.
Now playing at separate junior colleges, both have helped their new teams get off to winning starts.
Clemmons has made an immediate impact at Rend Lake College, starting each of the Warriors’ first two games and averaging 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds and 2.5 steals per contest.
The former MacArthur standout opened his collegiate career with 14 points, seven assists and four rebounds in just 22 minutes, shooting 6-for-10 from the field.
He followed that performance with an even stronger showing in his second game, finishing with 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Clemmons shot 7-for-13 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc.
Through his first two college appearances, Clemmons has totaled 32 points and 14 assists while shooting an impressive 56.5% from the field.
His playmaking has been particularly noteworthy, with the freshman recording seven assists in each of his first two games after averaging 4.3 per contest during his senior season at MacArthur.
Clemmons was the Generals’ leading scorer last winter, averaging 18.4 points per game while also contributing 4.3 steals per contest. His scoring, passing and defensive pressure helped make MacArthur one of the most dangerous teams in Class 3A.
Rend Lake, which entered the season ranked No. 10 nationally, has opened its 2026–27 campaign with a 2–0 record.
Meanwhile, Carson has begun his collegiate career with the defending NJCAA Division II national champions at Parkland College in Champaign.
Carson contributed eight points and five assists in his college debut on November 1, helping the Cobras defeat No. 14 Mid Michigan College, 86–71.
The victory marked a successful beginning to Parkland’s national championship defense and the first win under new head coach Jimmie Daly.
Carson, who averaged 12.1 points and 2.9 assists during his senior season at MacArthur, also shot 38% from three-point range last winter.
His five assists in the season opener tied for the team lead, providing an early indication of his ability to contribute as a facilitator at the next level.
Together, Clemmons and Carson formed one of the most productive backcourt combinations in Central Illinois last season, combining to average 30.5 points per game.
Their contributions helped MacArthur finish undefeated in Central State Eight Conference play at 10–0, capture postseason hardware and advance to within one victory of the Class 3A State Finals.
The Generals’ historic season ultimately came to an end with a narrow 51–49 loss to East St. Louis in the Super-Sectional.
A third member of MacArthur’s standout senior class, Sean Lee, has also moved on to college basketball, joining NCAA Division II McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois.
However, Lee will not take the floor for the Bearcats during the 2026–27 season after suffering ACL and MCL injuries.
The 6-foot-4 guard was another key contributor during MacArthur’s memorable run, giving the Generals a talented three-player core alongside Clemmons and Carson.
While Lee’s collegiate debut will have to wait, his former teammates are already finding success at the next level.
And the two won’t have to wait long for a reunion.
Clemmons and Carson are scheduled to face one another on December 5, when Rend Lake travels to Champaign to take on Parkland College.
For a MacArthur program coming off one of its most memorable seasons, the early college success of its former standouts offers another reminder of the talent that powered the Generals’ historic 2025–26 campaign.
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