Hayden Assemian breaks down South Carolina commitment
Hayden Assemian grew up watching a lot of South Carolina football and basketball games with the all-consuming thought being he wanted to be on that field.
A two-sport star who ultimately focused on basketball, Assemian is going to get that wish.
The 6-foot-8 power forward committed to the Gamecocks Tuesday, becoming the first commitment in the team’s 2025 class.
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“I grew up going to those games,” he told GamecockCentral. “Watching them play, it was like I wanted to be there one day. Now I can be the first one there to commit in my class.”
It was a quick process for Assemian, who began hearing from the South Carolina staff over the summer when interest started to pick up.
He arrived on campus for an unofficial visit for the home football game against Furman. There he picked up an offer, then came back a few weeks later for another unofficial visit.
It was then that he committed to South Carolina, waiting a few days before making it public.
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“I haven’t been around any coaching staff like this and the environment. I’m very familiar with South Carolina. I’ve been around them since I was born,” Assemian said.
“I talked to coach (Lamont) Paris more than any other coach I’ve talked to. I have a good relationship with him and I see how he coaches and his play style. It’s somewhere I can play great, produce and we can win games.”
The Gamecocks were at all of his games over the summer and went up to see him work out at Powdersville (S.C.) High School a few weeks ago.
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He was also getting interest from the likes of Clemson, NC State and others but his relationship with Paris ultimately won out.
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“He’s not an ego coach. He’s a great guy…He’s really into everything. He wants these kids and his players to go somewhere one day. He’s trying to produce the best he can and the program better than it has been,” Assemian said.
“He’s trying to get it back to where he had it at Chattanooga where they were going to the NCAA Tournament. I can tell by the way he talked and conducted himself that he’s really about this team, everybody and relationships.”
On3 ranks Assemian as the No. 150 player in the 2025 class and the second-best prospect in the state.
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“Feel like I can bring versatility, explosiveness in the paint,” he said. “I feel like I can bring that energy to the team and I play my role. I feel like this team we’ll have will be a tournament team.”
