It seems as though the athletic department is finally getting serious about honoring more former Gamecock greats, across many sports. Over the last couple of years, Trinity Johnson (Softball), Terrance Trammel (T&F), Miki Barber (T&F), Earl Bass (Baseball) and Clint Mathis (Mens Soccer) have had their jerseys retired.
Who should be next? I'll focus on Men's Basketball for my next three up (current retired jerseys: BJ McKie, John Roche, Alex English, Grady Wallace, Kevin Joyce):
Sindarius Thornwell:
I feel sure Thornwell and Downey will happen. I think Foster is highly deserving from an objective statistical standpoint. His legal troubles are 35 years in the past. Lots of water under the bridge since then. Fredrick, in my opinion, is deserving as well. He is one of two National Scoring Champions in program history. The other, Grady Wallace, is one of five current retired numbers/jerseys, and was the first to be retired in program history.
Both Foster and Fredrick are at somewhat of a disadvantage in that USC was a Major Independent during all of Fredrick's career and most of Foster's (USC was a member of the Metro during Foster's senior season). They would have, no doubt, received all-conference recognition had USC been in a conference during their careers, as evidenced by Foster's All-Metro recognition in his lone season there.
What say you?
Who should be next? I'll focus on Men's Basketball for my next three up (current retired jerseys: BJ McKie, John Roche, Alex English, Grady Wallace, Kevin Joyce):
Sindarius Thornwell:
- Finished his career third all-time in scoring (behind BJ McKie and Alex English) with 1,941 points.
- Led the 2016-17 Gamecocks to their first NCAA Tournament win in 43 years, and the program's first-ever Final Four appearance.
- First Team All-SEC and SEC Player of the Year in 2017. First Team All-American 2017 (CBS Sports). No brainer. This one is inevitable.
- Finished his career fourth all-time in scoring (now fifth) with 1,901 points in only three seasons (transfer from Cincinnati).
- Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-SEC in 2009 and 2010.
- Finished his career third all-time in scoring (now sixth) with 1,745 points.
- Currently ranked #1 in career field goal percentage (.596), #3 in field goals made (678), #5 in rebounds (1,000), #5 in free throws made.
- All four of his seasons rank in the top ten for field goal percentage by season, with his junior season (1982-83) ranking #1 (no other Gamecock has multiple entries).
- One of only two Gamecocks to finish their career with at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds (Alex English was the other).
- All-Metro First Team (1984).
- National Scoring Champion, 1980-81.
- All-American honors for the same season
I feel sure Thornwell and Downey will happen. I think Foster is highly deserving from an objective statistical standpoint. His legal troubles are 35 years in the past. Lots of water under the bridge since then. Fredrick, in my opinion, is deserving as well. He is one of two National Scoring Champions in program history. The other, Grady Wallace, is one of five current retired numbers/jerseys, and was the first to be retired in program history.
Both Foster and Fredrick are at somewhat of a disadvantage in that USC was a Major Independent during all of Fredrick's career and most of Foster's (USC was a member of the Metro during Foster's senior season). They would have, no doubt, received all-conference recognition had USC been in a conference during their careers, as evidenced by Foster's All-Metro recognition in his lone season there.
What say you?