South Carolina basketball preseason profiles: Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk

Lamont Paris’ South Carolina basketball team begins their season in just a week. On November 4th, the North Florida Ospreys will travel to Colonial Life Arena for the opener, and the 2024-2025 Gamecock season officially will be underway. In the days leading up to the first game, GamecockCentral will finish profiling each member of the team. Today we will look at sixth-year senior big man Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk.

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (Sixth-Year Senior, Power Forward/Center, 6’9”, 240 pounds)

Last Season: 17 games (0 starts), 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.2 blocks, 60.7%/0%/66.7%

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Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk doesn’t look quite the same as he did last year. After putting on some decent weight to get to 240 pounds, BBV was noticeably stronger last season, and he had some good moments during out-of-conference play because of it. Now, though his listed weight hasn’t changed, the law student looks like a Mack truck. He told GamecockCentral at South Carolina Basketball Media Days that he is over 260 pounds now, and it shows. Bosmans-Verdonk is the most physically imposing guy on the 2024-2025 version of the Gamecocks.

Muscles don’t necessarily equal production, but they don’t hurt. BBV was never going to be an outside shooter, so his newfound mass and bicep size won’t affect his jumper. However, on a roster that only has four post players, the big fella could play, and when he does, his new look should help him contribute. He already was a high-effort rebounder and box-out player, and that should be even more apparent this season. Likely behind Collin Murray-Boyles, Nick Pringle, and Jordan Butler in the rotation, Bosmans-Verdonk will look to make an impact any time he is on the floor.

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On offense, Bosmans-Verdonk probably won’t do much scoring unless it is a putback after an offensive rebound. However, Lamont Paris runs a screen-heavy system. So, when the Belgium native is in the game, he will have a role on that end of the floor. Though his overall numbers don’t indicate it, BBV also is a solid passer. He once logged six assists in 12 minutes and had four assists with zero turnovers against LSU two seasons ago.

Defensively, the Gamecocks’ oldest player isn’t a shot-blocking threat. However, he is strong enough (especially now) to make things difficult in the paint for physical opponents. If BBV can help the Gamecocks body up some of their bigger post foes (and maybe eat a couple of fouls in the process), he will have done his part on defense.

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Bosmans-Verdonk’s role on this team will be interesting to monitor. Lamont Paris’ usage of a fourth post player has come and gone during his time with the Gamecocks. However, if foul troubles or injuries become a factor for USC, all of a sudden, BBV’s role could be a big one. Whether it is in just a few minutes per game or a heavy rotational role, fans can still expect the same style of play from No. 31: if a rebound or loose ball is up for grabs, the rock belongs to Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, and he will get it or leave a trail of destruction behind his effort. His motor and team-first attitude can’t be taught, and because of those traits, South Carolina basketball fans will be rooting for him this season.

Bosmans-Verdonk and the Gamecocks hope to follow up a record-tying 26-win season and 2nd-place SEC finish with another strong year. Another trip to the NCAA Tournament would mark South Carolina’s first back-to-back berths in the Big Dance since the 1990s.

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