Lamont Paris updates open scholarship before semester starts
South Carolina went into the season with only 12 players on scholarship, one shy of the 13 allowed by the NCAA.
The Gamecocks have played with 12 scholarship players through the first 15 games of the season and it seems like that will stay the same down the stretch.
Lamont Paris said it’s more than likely the team doesn’t fill that spot with the semester beginning soon.
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“We’ll probably end up taking it into the offseason. The transfer portal and midseason stuff hasn’t been near as active as Ii thought it would be. Shockingly, to be honest with you,” Paris said. “You’ve always had midsemester guys who transferred. That was when you had to sit a full year.”
South Carolina’s semester begins Jan. 9 with the last day to drop a course Jan. 17.
If the Gamecocks brought someone in over the next few days, Paris made it seem as if the player would have to sit the rest of the season before being able to play.
Right now the portal activity isn’t at its apex. That is a little odd given how prevalent it is in college sports today.
As it stands entering the final weekend of winter break, it would take the right situation for Paris and his staff to pull the trigger.
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“Now, you can transfer at semester and be ready to go as soon as the season is over. I’m a little surprised there aren’t as many guys in the portal,” Paris said. “We’ll keep our eyes and ears open if something comes up that makes sense for us and is a good fit for us. If not, we’ll go into the second semester with that.”
South Carolina (7-7) finished up non-conference play before the new year with a 10-point win over Eastern Michigan. The Gamecocks began conference play Tuesday night, a 84-79 overtime loss to Vanderbilt.
They’ll host No. 8 Tennessee Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m., SEC Network).
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South Carolina right now has two signees for the 2023 class in Collin Murray-Boyles and Arden Conyers. Only one player is currently out of eligibility after this season in Hayden Brown. GG Jackson will also have the option of leaving for the NBA after this season.
Most of the additions in the offseason will come from the transfer portal for year two under Paris.
