REPORT: South Carolina Basketball: Major Gamecock transfer portal target announces commitment.
South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris has the Gamecocks in the running for some major targets in the transfer portal. One of those targets was former UT-Martin guard Jordan Sears. The combo guard had put the Gamecocks on his list of top-6 schools recently, but on Thursday, he announced his commitment to a school other than the University of South Carolina.
Jordan Sears has chosen LSU over South Carolina Gamecocks, Alabama Crimson Tide, West Virginia Mountaineers, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Arizona State Sun Devils, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. Losing Sears to an SEC rival hurts as the Gamecocks could really use a combo guard like him who can score and be a secondary creator alongside whoever point guard Coach Paris brings in via the transfer portal this offseason.
However, with USC being in the top four for guards JP Pegues and Dakota Leffew, as well as being strongly involved with some other guards, South Carolina basketball fans should not panic. Paris’ team needs to bring in at least one guard (most likely two) through the transfer portal, but his previous success in the portal in years one and two at Columbia has given him the benefit of the doubt from the supporters.
This offseason, the Gamecocks also hope to sign a big name. Carolina needs a big who can shoot and stretch the floor, based on how the offense performed last season. Coach Paris has previously commented about Collin Murray-Boyles’ basketball shooting abilities. If CMB is ready to fill the role of BJ Mack from last season (albeit with much more athleticism), the Gamecocks can look for a long, shot-blocking big to join CMB and Josh Gray as the team’s two seasoned rim protectors.
Incoming freshmen Okku Federiko (forward) and Trent Noah (wing) could make an impact on next year’s team, but how the Gamecocks handle the transfer portal this offseason will have a significant impact on how much they play, particularly early in the season.
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