Not exactly known as a basketball powerhouse, South Carolina does have a few impressive moments in their history and Lamont Paris is hoping more come in the near future. After a rough first season, Paris led the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament in 2024, tying for 2nd place in the SEC standings. However, his team was overmatched last season, finishing dead last in the most competitive season in SEC history while finishing just 12-20.
Whether the pattern of ups and downs continues, the bottom line is that the Gamecocks will look quite different this upcoming season. Collin-Murray Boyles is off to the NBA after incredible work as a sophomore, while other notable players like Zachary Davis, Nick Pringle, and Jamarii Thomas left via the transfer portal. Among returners, you’re looking at Cam Scott and Myles Stute as the most important, and Stute missed more than half of last season.
Another reloading attempt has been made by Paris and his staff which has resulted in half a dozen additions from the transfer portal. Mike Sharavjamts should notch a major role after his work at Utah and other schools while South Florida guard Kobe Knox could also have an important backcourt role. Christ Essandoko is a 7-footer coming from Providence who should have ever opportunity to succeed while Elijah Strong (Boston College) and Nordin Kapic (UC San Diego) add depth at the 4.
While it comes as a surprise to many, the most important new face is actually a familiar one in Meechie Johnson Jr. A 6-2 guard from Cleveland, Johnson has had the insanely unique career path bouncing from Ohio State to South Carolina back to Ohio State before returning to the Gamecocks for his final year of eligibility. Johnson had his two best seasons with South Carolina, averaging 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game as the leading scorer on that NCAA Tournament team two seasons ago.
Johnson alone doesn’t fix the holes on this roster, though Paris and company are hoping these other new freshmen and transfers give them a fighting chance in the SEC. Columbia knows what they’re getting in Johnson and that’s a veteran talent who can score and facilitate. Bringing him back isn’t going to necessarily get the Gamecocks back into fighting shape, but they’ll need him to be a leader this season.
Johnson played just ten games with the Buckeyes last season and has fought a back injury over the summer, but if he’s healthy and on top of his game then South Carolina just might have some promise. It’s frankly hard to imagine these Gamecocks hanging with so many outstanding SEC teams for this upcoming season. However, Johnson and company surprised us two years ago and if he can put together another All-SEC season then perhaps there’ll be much more excitement in Columbia.