SEC Basketball Recruiting: Every team's top class from past decade

SEC Basketball Recruiting: Every team’s top class from past decade

By Dakota Cox | May 13, 2019

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Anthony Davis #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates before he cuts down the net after the Wildcats defeat the Kansas Jayhawks 67-59 in the National Championship Game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on April 2, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Sindarius Thornwell #0 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts in the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

South Carolina Gamecocks: 2013

South Carolina isn’t known for raking in five-star talents. However, Frank Martin has the ability to find talents and personalities that fit his system. With Martin, it’s all about fit. You need to have a certain grit to be a South Carolina Gamecock.

2013 had a few of these players. This class was actually the core group that helped send South Carolina to the Final Four. They were seniors in 2017 when the Gamecocks made their run as a 7th-seed. Duane Notice was one of the better players on the team for that run.

However, the main reason I put this class as opposed to 2015 was Sindarius Thornwell. When I think of South Carolina basketball, I think of Thornwell. He’s that grinder of a player that just fits what Frank Martin looks for.

It was really hard to decide between the 2015 and 2013 classes. The 2015 players were sophomores during the Final Four run, and they were a key reason why the team succeeded. Specifically, PJ Dozier and Chris Silva were monsters. Dozier is in the NBA right now, and Silva will be in the draft for this year.

These are definitely the two best recruiting classes in the past decade for South Carolina, in my opinion. Due to Sindarius Thornwell, I give the 2013 class a slight edge.

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