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South Carolina Basketball – Projecting Next Season’s Starting Lineup

By Jacob Elsey

AUBURN, AL - JANUARY 22: Jermaine Couisnard #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives around Allen Flanigan #22 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the game at Auburn Arena on January 22, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - JANUARY 22: Jermaine Couisnard #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives around Allen Flanigan #22 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the game at Auburn Arena on January 22, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 22: Keyshawn Bryant #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives to the basket during the second half of a college basketball game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the John Paul Jones Arena on December 22, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 22: Keyshawn Bryant #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives to the basket during the second half of a college basketball game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the John Paul Jones Arena on December 22, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

SMALL FORWARD

STARTER – Keyshawn Bryant (9.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG)

RESERVE – Justin Minaya (7.8 PPG, 6 RPG)

RESERVE – Trey Anderson (0.3 PPG, 0 RPG)

Small forward is where Frank Martin should have some flexibility.  Two of the Gamecocks’ best contributors play the position, and they bring styles of play that complement each other.

Keyshawn Bryant is the team’s most athletic player, and is a regular on SportsCenter’s highlight clips.  He plays above the rim, throwing down tomahawk dunks on whoever stands in his way.  Bryant also improved his jump shot and rebounding last season as he continues to become a more complete player.

Justin Minaya, on the other hand, is a little bit less flashy, but just as effective.  He may be the Gamecocks’ best on-ball defender and consistently ranks among the team’s top rebounders.  He’s a little more polished as a jump shooter than Bryant, and has a nice 3-pt stroke.  Since he does possess a skillset that includes ball-handling, shooting, rebounding, and defense, Minaya has the ability to move around in the lineup based on matchups.  He can be seen playing the 2, 3, and 4 positions on any given gameday.

Trey Anderson will enter his second season with the Gamecocks in 2020.  The 6’ 6” forward played only 22 minutes as a freshman, scoring two points and recording a steal.  He’ll look to be more involved next year, but it will be a tough task to unseat Minaya and Bryant at the top of the depth chart.

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