South Carolina Gamecocks News: Recruiting updates, transfer portal, baseball, more
By Kevin Miller
Here is the latest South Carolina Gamecocks news from the last week, starting with some recruiting updates.
Over the weekend, South Carolina football target Micah Gilbert announced his top-7, and the Gamecocks made the cut. The 4-star wide receiver is from Charlotte and is part of the 2024 recruiting class.
Several big-time players, both from the high school ranks and the transfer portal, were on campus in the last week.
Campus was crowded with visitors.
David Sanders is the top-ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class. The athletic offensive tackle is heavily considering the Gamecocks, but his recruitment still seems wide open. He is from Charlotte.
Utah State linebacker Transfer AJ Vongphachang was visiting. The tackling machine could have up to two years of eligibility. If he commits to the Gamecocks, he would likely start alongside Mo Kaba at linebacker.
Florida State defensive end defection Derrick McLendon was on campus, as well. The former Seminole starter would likely start or be the third end for the Gamecocks if he ended up in Columbia. He has two years of eligibility left.
A slew of other young high school players were also on campus.
Former Maryland defensive tackle Anthony “Tank” Booker announced his top-5 transfer destinations, and Carolina made his list.
At 320 pounds, Booker would be a big help against the run, especially in short-yardage situations. He is expected to announce this week.
A Gamecock assistant coach had his strong work recognized by a national analyst.
Long-time college football analyst Phil Steel announced his 2022 special teams coordinator of the year. His choice was none other than South Carolina football‘s Pete Lembo. Lembo led a group that was among the national leaders in every special teams category.
A former South Carolina star signed a deal with the XFL.
DJ Swearinger, one of the best safeties to ever wear garnet and black, is playing football again. After a nine-year NFL career, he was signed by the DC Defenders who are currently in first place in the XFL.
Gamecock men’s basketball made the top-5 for two transfer portal forwards.
BJ Mack from Wofford is still weighing his options but likes the Gamecocks. If Mack were to choose to come to Columbia, he would join Stephen Clark as transfer forwards fighting for a starting spot next to big man Josh Gray.
Jamille Reynolds announced a top-5 that included the Gamecocks, but he promptly committed to Cincinnati after just a couple of days.
Former Gamecock standout AJ Lawson finally got a real NBA opportunity last week.
The Mavericks played Lawson for over 20 minutes, and he delivered with 12 points (2 made 3s), 6 rebounds, and solid defense. A couple of big dunks didn’t hurt his showing, and the Mavs took notice of his strong play.
Carolina baseball strengthened its postseason resume even more last week.
No South Carolina Gamecocks news update would be complete without a check-in on the elite team on the diamond.
A shutout win over highly-ranked North Carolina was followed up by a weekend series with #1 LSU. In a series shortened to two games by rain, South Carolina dominated but only managed to pull off one victory. After a blowout in game 1, a tough 8th inning of game 2 erased a big lead and gave the Tigers new life. LSU won it in the ninth to even the series before rain canceled the finale.
Ethan Petry continued his dominance.
The true freshman has seemingly almost locked up freshman of the year honors (he was already named midseason freshman of the year), but he is putting his name in the running for national awards, as well. In game 1 against LSU, Petry hit two bombs and drove in 8 runs.
Petry and Carolina slugger Gavin Casas were each named to the midseason watch list for the Gold Spikes Award, given to the nation’s top player each season.
Dawn Staley’s team had four players forego a final year of eligibility to declare for the WNBA draft.
Aliyah Boston is expected to be picked with the first selection of Monday’s draft.
Breal Beal has been projected anywhere from the first round to the third round.
Zia Cooke is likely to be picked in the late first round or in the second.
Laeticia Amihere is expected to be taken at some point during the three-round event, as well.
Center Kamilla Cardoso will return for the Gamecocks next season.
The WNBA draft will take place on Monday night at 7:00 and will be broadcast on ESPN and the ESPN App.
Not only will the women’s roster look different next year, but the coaching staff is experiencing some change, as well.
Long-time assistant coach Fred Chmiel is leaving the program to become the head coach at Bowling Green. Chmiel had been at South Carolina since 2015.
Gamecock softball lost a road series.
The Lady Gamecocks lost two of three at #16 Alabama over the weekend. They play a ranked Clemson squad in the mid-week this week before playing Texas A&M in a three-game set.