Busting Brackets
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SEC Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Gophers guard Ta’Lon Cooper SEC Basketball Np1 0828
Minnesota Gophers guard Ta’Lon Cooper SEC Basketball Np1 0828 /

Ta’Lon Cooper – 6’4 Point Guard – South Carolina Gamecocks

Ta’Lon Cooper makes his return to his native state of South Carolina following an eventful four seasons in the college basketball world. He began his career at Morehead State in the 2019-20 season and spent three seasons there before joining the Big Ten’s Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2022-23. Now, he’ll make the leap from one power conference to another by joining the Gamecocks in the SEC.

Cooper is quite the unselfish playmaker at the point guard spot as evidenced by his production/assist numbers. He dished out a career-high 6.3 apg to go along with 9.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 1.1 spg this past season as a member of the Golden Gophers. His shooting numbers weren’t too shabby either, as he shot 39.5 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from 3-point range.

He’s dished out a career-high 12 assists three times, with the most recent occurrence coming back on March 8 during the Big Ten Conference Tournament in a victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Cooper doesn’t need a lot of shots to make things happen either. He finished with 16 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the floor and 8-for-10 shooting from the free-throw line in that victory. He ranked third in the Big Ten and 12th in the NCAA this past season in assists (196). He also played the ninth-most minutes in the conference and led the way in minutes per game at 36.7.

He gives the Gamecocks some veteran leadership in the backcourt entering Year 2 under head coach Lamont Paris following an adversity-filled first season as head coach. He’s well-conditioned and can fill the void by playing a ton of minutes at the lead guard role for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina went 4-14 in the SEC this past year and returns seven players from last year’s roster including Meechie Johnson and Jacobi Wright. Look for their backcourt to be a whole lot stronger this upcoming season with Cooper in the fold.

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