South Carolina basketball: Alanzo Frink enters transfer portal

South Carolina basketball loses another contributor.

Frank Martin has seen a lot of movement on the South Carolina basketball roster this offseason. Six players have transferred out of the program, four newcomers have come in to replace them, and the team’s top scorer has declared for the NBA Draft.

Now, it appears an eighth player will be leaving Columbia. Big man Alanzo Frink has officially entered the transfer portal according to a report from 24/7 Sports. Frink has been with the Gamecocks for three seasons, appearing in 57 games and making 15 starts. For his career, the forward averaged 4.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 12.2 minutes per contest.

He was set to play a major role for the team last season, but an undisclosed medical issue saw him miss the final 18 games. In his three appearances, the post player racked up 10 points and 11 rebounds.

While he did miss most of last year, his presence was one that was fans could get excited about when looking ahead to 2021. Frink has had his moments in garnet and black, including notching seven double digit performances in his last full season. He tallied a career-high 22 points in an overtime win over top NBA pick Anthony Edwards and the Georgia Bulldogs last February. Frink’s shooting touch was the best on the team entering the upcoming campaign.

What’s it mean for South Carolina basketball?

With the loss, the Gamecocks are a little thin in the post. Just Tre’Vaughn Minott, Ja’von Benson, and Wildens Leveque return down low for South Carolina. Incoming transfer AJ Wilson will add some more depth, but the team lost three forwards to the transfer portal from last year’s roster. Of the returning players, only Leveque has proven experience. Benson, a freshman, appeared in three games last season, totaling six points and six rebounds. Minott joined the team midseason and averaged 2.5 points per game over eight contests.

Leveque and Wilson appear to have the edge in the starting rotation. Leveque should get the nod at center, and Wilson is a shot swatting expert that ranks first in George Mason program history in blocks. It remains to be seen whether they’ll add anything on the offense, though.

Frink likely would’ve been the most effective scorer in the paint, which is the reason the loss stings. He was pegged as an everyday contributor, and seemed primed for his best season in Columbia, so long as his health is back up to 100%.

The loss does open up a scholarship. We’ll see if Frank Martin and the coaching staff are able to land another addition through the portal as they solidify the South Carolina basketball roster.