C
Collyn Taylor
Guest
The Gamecocks added a piece to their 2021 class a few weeks ago with Devin Carter and might add another over the coming weeks with Jacobi Wright expected to announce his college decision soon with South Carolina firmly in the mix there, which could be the second commitment in the 2021 group before high schools start back up if he ultimately chooses South Carolina.
As for what the offers and two takes before the season starts, it shows the Gamecocks are putting an emphasis on guards right now as part of the 2021 group after taking two bigs—Patrick Iriel and Ja'Von Benson—in the 2020 group.
Right now the Gamecocks aren't scheduled to lose any big men until after the 2021-22 season (Alanzo Frink) and of the guys currently on the roster, four of their five big men next year are either freshmen or sophomores.
As for the guard spot, the Gamecocks are set up well there with Jermaine Couisnard, Trae Hannibal, TJ Moss and AJ Lawson on scholarship for the 2021 class but they do lose Seventh Woods after this season.
If Lawson ultimately comes back for a junior season, he could opt to go pro after his junior season, which would open up another guard spot for the 2021 class.
So, it makes sense the Gamecocks are going after guards early in the process who could help fill those roles.
I mentioned it last night, but Carter and Wright would both be takes since they project at different positions with Carter more of a two guard and Wright more of a traditional point guard.
This is not to say the Gamecocks aren't actively recruiting some post players because they are. Cesare Edwards is a fast-rising prospect who the Gamecocks are in pretty constant contact with and John Butler Jr. is another the Gamecocks have interest in dating back a few years.
Butler is already a top 100 prospect and getting plenty of attention and Edwards is having his stock increase exponentially over the course of his junior year with Kansas and Xavier staying in contact with him.
Both picked up offers from Wake Forest in the last few days. Steve Forbes was recently hired there and BJ McKie is an assistant on his staff.
Even if the Gamecocks do pick up a commitment from Wright soon, they still won't abandon the 2021 class, likely focusing on post players after that. Because transfers do happen (it's the nature of college basketball), it wouldn't be smart to stop recruiting guys and the Gamecocks know that.
As for what the offers and two takes before the season starts, it shows the Gamecocks are putting an emphasis on guards right now as part of the 2021 group after taking two bigs—Patrick Iriel and Ja'Von Benson—in the 2020 group.
Right now the Gamecocks aren't scheduled to lose any big men until after the 2021-22 season (Alanzo Frink) and of the guys currently on the roster, four of their five big men next year are either freshmen or sophomores.
As for the guard spot, the Gamecocks are set up well there with Jermaine Couisnard, Trae Hannibal, TJ Moss and AJ Lawson on scholarship for the 2021 class but they do lose Seventh Woods after this season.
If Lawson ultimately comes back for a junior season, he could opt to go pro after his junior season, which would open up another guard spot for the 2021 class.
So, it makes sense the Gamecocks are going after guards early in the process who could help fill those roles.
I mentioned it last night, but Carter and Wright would both be takes since they project at different positions with Carter more of a two guard and Wright more of a traditional point guard.
This is not to say the Gamecocks aren't actively recruiting some post players because they are. Cesare Edwards is a fast-rising prospect who the Gamecocks are in pretty constant contact with and John Butler Jr. is another the Gamecocks have interest in dating back a few years.
Butler is already a top 100 prospect and getting plenty of attention and Edwards is having his stock increase exponentially over the course of his junior year with Kansas and Xavier staying in contact with him.
Both picked up offers from Wake Forest in the last few days. Steve Forbes was recently hired there and BJ McKie is an assistant on his staff.
Even if the Gamecocks do pick up a commitment from Wright soon, they still won't abandon the 2021 class, likely focusing on post players after that. Because transfers do happen (it's the nature of college basketball), it wouldn't be smart to stop recruiting guys and the Gamecocks know that.
