South Carolina assistants break down Gamecocks' frontcourt
The focal point this South Carolina basketball offseason has centered largely around GG Jackson and the Gamecocks’ guard play but there’s more to it.
The Gamecocks have host of big men they’ll be counting on while trying to get up to speed before the season starts.
Jackson is going to start likely at a front-court spot, and there are a few returners vying for starter minutes at the center spot.
Special: Get a year of Gamecock Central for $10!
“From the returners, you have a lot of size, a lot of length and definitely physicality. There’s some great rim protection. I think Josh can really offensive rebound,” assistant Tanner Bronson said. “I think he’s got a big-time skill in being able to get to the basket. They can clean up stuff. You can make some mistakes and they might be able to bail you out of those situations.
The likeliest to start of the group of big men is Josh Gray, who seems to be the front-runner right now to be the starting center.
Gray, who came in last season after a year at LSU, averaged 2.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.4 seasons. He is coming off a wrist injury that hampered him the final few weeks of the season.
Minott is the other returning big man who is coming off averaging 2.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.6 minutes per game last season. Ja’Von Benson can also play the four and five spots, and could chisel out a role.
Both are learning a new system and are being asked to do different things compared to last year.
“I think the other guys are thinking a lot because it’s a new way of playing for them offensively and defensively,” Tim Buckley said. “I would assume it’s the most, if not more, freedom than they’ve ever had in other places. Defensively it’s different rules and expectations. Those guys are gradually coming along in those areas as well.”
Top 10
- 1New
Cancelation call-out
Greg Sankey points finger at CFP
- 2
Top 25 Shakeup
Big changes in AP Poll
- 3
Neal Brown
Texas targeting former WVU HC
- 4Hot
Baseball Top 25
New No. 1 team in country
- 5
Women's Hoops Poll
AP Top 25 sees movement
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Garnet Trust: Support and connect with USC student-athletes
Illinois transfer Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk will also log minutes in South Carolina’s front court.
Last season with the Illini he played in 24 games with a pair of starts. He averaged 1.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game. It’s a small sample size, but the Gamecocks’ staff likes his ability to pass the ball as a big man.
“I think he can be a really good facilitator for us. He’s a guy from the perimeter that can put it on the deck and find guys who relocate when the defense kind of turns to help or go into the paint,” Buckley said. “He’s shown good flashes of that.”
South Carolina’s staff could opt to use him in a few different ways defensively. Then try to get defenses out of their structures during the season.
“Ben’s activity is very unique at that position. He moves very well for a big. I think he can keep the ball in the post, he can hard shell a ball screen, he can get back into a play, you can switch him in multiple spots,” Bronson said.
“He can handle it better than those guys. So he can put the ball on the floor and make passes to find guys. Hopefully offensively he can keep the defense moving side to side. He’s a little bit smaller but should still have an impact and is strong enough to hold his own.”
