South Carolina officially adds Jamarii Thomas to roster
South Carolina filled out its roster on Monday as transfer Jamarii Thomas signed a financial aid agreement to continue his basketball career under head coach Lamont Paris and his staff.
The 6-foot guard from Greensboro, N.C., was the 2024 MEAC Player of the Year after averaging 16.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game at Norfolk State.
“It’s always been a dream to play close to home and obviously in the biggest conference of college basketball, which is the SEC,” Thomas told GamecockCentral. “People could say whatever, but SEC is definitely the best basketball conference. It was crazy because we have some family in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Columbia, and Charlotte. It’s big for me to play near home in the biggest conference.”
MORE: Thomas goes in-depth on South Carolina commitment | Inside the commitment: Jamarii Thomas | Transfer portal tracker
Thomas was the league’s leading scorer and was also tabbed the Newcomer of the Year after helping lead the Spartans to a 24-11 record. He had a team-leading 10 games with 20 or more points, including a career-high 31 in a 64-58 road win at Illinois State (Dec. 9).
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In his lone season at Norfolk State, Thomas posted shooting splits of 40.4 percent from the floor, 38.0 percent from behind the arc and 80.9 percent at the charity stripe in 31.1 minutes per game.
Prior to his time with the Spartans, Thomas spent two seasons at UNC-Wilmington from 2021-23 where he played in 59 games over two seasons. As a sophomore in 2022-23, he appeared in 34 games with 23 starts, averaging 7.1 points, 2.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. Thomas scored in double figures 10 teams with a season-high 26 points in a late season home win over Stony Brook. The Seahawks made it to the CAA title game before falling, 63-58, to College of Charleston.
Thomas attended The Burlington School (Burlington, N.C.) his senior year in 2020-21, averaging 19.0 points, 7.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He led the team to a 24-7 record and the NCISAA 2A State Championship. Thomas scored 28 points in the state title game against Northwood Temple Academy.
2024 Gamecock Men’s Basketball Transfers/Signees
Jordan Butler^ – 7’0 forward –Greenville, S.C. (Missouri)
Nick Pringle^ – 6’10 forward – Seabrook, S.C. (Alabama)
Jamarii Thomas^ – 6’0 guard – Greensboro, N.C. (Norfolk State)
Okku Federiko* – 6’9 forward – Helsinki, Finland (Drive Academy)
Trent Noah* – 6’6 guard – Baxter, Ky. (Harlan County)
Cam Scott* – 6’5 guard – Lexington, S.C. (Lexington HS)
^ – transfer
* – high school signee
FROM USC MEDIA RELATIONS
