South Carolina Basketball: Why Jordan Butler is the most important team transfer for 2024-25

Last season represented a major breakthrough at South Carolina, as the Gamecocks reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years. Suffice to say Lamont Paris’s second season as head coach showed a demonstrative step forward for the program. The tricky part becomes maintaining that momentum in a strong SEC, especially with a few moving pieces in this offseason.

Last year’s leading scorer Meechie Johnson went back to Ohio State while seniors Ta’Lon Cooper and B. J. Mack have run out of eligibility. That doesn’t mean the Gamecocks will necessary struggle, as talented freshman Collin Murray-Boyles returns after a brilliant start to his career. A number of other impactful rotation pieces return like Zachary Davis, Myes Stute, and Jacobi Wright.

Some of those returning pieces will take on greater roles, but Paris and his staff also added a few names from the Transfer Portal. You could absolutely make an argument that any of their three additions could become the standout of this class, starting with former Alabama forward Nick Pringle, fresh off a Final Four appearance. Another major name to watch is Jamarii Thomas, last year’s MEAC Player of the Year at Norfolk State, though you have to wonder how he’ll handle the transition into the SEC.

Instead we’re focusing on someone who doesn’t have to deal with that transition as Jordan Butler played in the SEC at Missouri last season. A Top 100 prospect originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Butler started a handful of games last year but didn’t get a lot of run with the Tigers. He’d average just 2.0 points and 0.8 blocks per game while making 58% of his shots inside the arc.

Now the 7-footer returns home with hopes of becoming an impact center for the Gamecocks. We haven’t seen a lot from Butler to this point, as he played sparingly during his freshman season, but he has the size and potential to be a great frontcourt player. Not only does he help offset the hole left behind with Mack’s departure, but he could become a critical rim protector; something South Carolina succeeded without during last season.

We’re looking at Butler based on talent and potential, as you could easily argue that either Pringle or Thomas are set up for more success in the immediate future. The Gamecocks are still going to be figuring out Butler’s development, but the tools are all there. You can’t teach size and strength; Butler just needs to stay out of foul trouble and work a bit more on his shooting touch.

Again we’re not saying to expect the best numbers from Butler this season, but he’s the most exciting player among the trio added in recent months. We could look back at this move as a steal in a year or two, especially if Butler can start to develop like Murray-Boyles and other frontcourt pieces in years past. Can Butler take a demonstrated step forward of his own as a sophomore in a new program? Does this team have what it takes to get right back to the NCAA Tournament?