South Carolina Basketball: Top Transfer Portal player seems set to commit

The transfer portal has been a big topic of discussion in Gamecock nation since the end of the South Carolina basketball season at the SEC Tournament. Four Gamecocks, including three scholarship forwards have chosen to enter their names into the portal and pursue a career elsewhere.

Because of the mass exodus down low, Lamont Paris and his staff have been in contact with several forwards who have decided to transfer. Among these names is Wofford Terrier BJ Mack. Mack is a 6’8″ and 250-pound big who can score and rebound. Last season for Wofford, he averaged over 16 points and 5 rebounds per contest. At right around 50% from the field, Mack helped lead Wofford to their second-best team field goal % ever in the 2022-2023 season.

In 2021, as a sophomore, Mack played at Colonial Life Arena against the Gamecocks but was held to just 9 points and 3 rebounds. Before being a Wofford Terrier, Mack started his career at South Florida but transferred after just one season. Mack can play a bruising style down low, but he has demonstrated some range as he shot 44.8% and 33.5% from deep the past two seasons on 2.7 and 4.8 attempts per game, respectively.

On Saturday, Mack hinted that a decision could be coming on Tuesday regarding his playing future.

The Gamecocks are in on other targets from the transfer portal, and they will continue recruiting the portal regardless of what happens with Mack. The Gamecocks have a need to sign multiple forwards and probably some outside shooting from the wing heading into next season.

South Carolina currently has four scholarships available. The three scholarship transfers, graduate Hayden Brown, GG Jackson’s likely NBA decision, and an extra unused scholarship from last season are only cut into by two incoming freshmen Collin Murray-Boyles and Arden Conyers. Any transfer portal additions, including Mack, would come from these four roster spots.