WATCH: Gamecocks prepare to open SEC play tomorrow

Join Collyn Taylor and Kendall Smith to talk Gamecock men’s basketball, as they prepare to open up conference play tomorrow on the road against Vanderbilt.

South Carolina’s Tuesday night game against the Commodores is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Gamecock Central will have game coverage, along with comprehensive pre-game and post-game analysis of the match-up.

MORE: South Carolina great Chris Silva thriving with College Park Skyhawks

By Collyn Taylor

Chris Silva still remembers checking in for one of his first NBA games soon after his South Carolina career ended. 

Playing then for the Miami Heat, Silva found himself in the game against the soon-to-be NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

He remembers getting to guard Anthony Davis and experiencing his first real welcome to the league moment. 

•Subscribe to Gamecock Central until Aug. 31 for only $29.99

“Everything hit me all at once,” Silva said. 

That was one of the earliest moments of what’s turned into a lengthy career so far in professional basketball for one of the best big men in program history. 

He’s bounced around between organizations, starting with the Heat then going to Minnesota before settling this season with the Atlanta Hawks. 

Currently, he’s with the G-League affiliate–the College Park Skyhawks–and enjoying one of the better years of his career. 

In 18 showcase games this season Silva averaged 13.5 points on 58 percent shooting. He’s tacking on 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. 

“You have to be a star at your role. Going back to the Final Four, that’s one thing coach told us that got me ready for professional basketball…You play with a lot of good players and not everybody can score the ball, not everybody can rebound the ball, not everybody can defend,” Silva said.  

“Obviously, I can score the ball but I’m better at rebounding and defense. I take pride and joy to do the other stuff and leave the scoring to the people who can really do it. Every day I’m trying to be a star in my role.” 

•Become a NIL supporter of your South Carolina Gamecocks!

Injuries have affected his progression at points. But those seem to be behind him and he’s enjoying one of the better years since leaving South Carolina.

“For me, honestly, it’s a matter of staying healthy. Since my rookie year I’ve had trouble staying healthy,” he said. “I’m having fun with it, working hard every day and doing all the things I was doing when healthy. I’m trying to get back to my old habits little by little.”

Part of the success he’s had this year, and really for his entire professional stint, spawns from his time at South Carolina under Frank Martin. 

“I think it got me ready,” he said. “There wasn’t one day he wouldn’t allow anyone to have a breather or come in not ready to play. Transitioning to the league, that’s your job. You’re supposed to come in ready to play and get better. I feel like being under Frank’s umbrella helped me translate to the league and be a professional.” 

• Subscribe (for free) to the Gamecock Central YouTube page!

Silva was a lynchpin for South Carolina’s 2017 Final Four run as a sophomore. He then turned into one of the best frontcourt players in program history. 

He was an all-SEC center, a two-time all-defensive player and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. 

Silva ranks 10th all-time in program history in points scored, sixth in total rebounds, tied for eighth in blocks and tied for sixth all-time with 108 starts. 

“I left my fingerprints in that gym, man,” Silva said.

The goal is to back to the NBA at some point soon and continue fulfilling a dream year in the making. 

“I mean, my plan is to win whatever we have in front of us right now. I’m trying to focus on what I can control. Obviously, my goal is to get back to the league,” he said. “But I can’t control that. Just lock in on what we have and what we’re trying to do. Winning and everything comes with that. I’m trying to lock into what we got right now.” 

Discuss South Carolina basketball on The Insiders Forum!