South Carolina basketball did not have the type of 2022-2023 season that Gamecock fans were hoping their team to have. However, with a big offseason roster overhaul powered by high-upside freshmen and upperclassmen transfer portal additions, hope is slowly building in Columbia.
That flicker of hope exists because Carolina basketball has seen prosperous times in its history, including in the not-so-distant past. When the Gamecocks have been a good team, it has largely been on the backs of players who defended well and could take over the game on offense.
Some of the best of these players were shooting guards. Shooters, slashers, and players in between all laced up sneakers as 2-guards for the Gamecocks, but which of these shooting guards was the best to play for the garnet and black?
Honorable Mention
Hassani Gravett: Hassani Gravett (2016-2019) was a combo guard who really struggled when forced to play the point guard position. When allowed to be a 2-guard, Gravett became a much better player and eventually developed into the SEC’s Sixth Man of the Year after shooting 40% from 3-point land as a senior. His final year in Columbia saw Gravett put up top-15 all-time marks for single-season 3-pointers made and 3-point efficiency.
Ray “Cookie” Pericola: One of the best rebounding guards in Gamecock history, Cookie Pericola (1956-1959) also averaged 14 points per game in his career. He was an inefficient shooter, but Pericola made up for it some with a knack for getting to the free throw line. His best two scoring performances came against rivals Clemson and Georgia, endearing him to Carolina fans.
Ramon Galloway: Ramon Galloway (2010-2012) is a name that still makes South Carolina basketball fans say “what if?” After two promising seasons in Columbia in which he displayed jaw-dropping athleticism and an ability to put the ball in the basket, he and Darrin Horn couldn’t get along, so Horn had Galloway transfer. Galloway left, Horn was fired the next season, and Carolina fans had to witness #12 lead the La Salle Explorers to a Sweet 16 instead of the Gamecocks.
Barry Manning: A combo guard who spent more time at shooting guard, Barry Manning (1987-1992) spent an extra year in garnet and black thanks to a medical redshirt. While never excelling at any one thing on the court, he was good at a lot of things: Manning was a bit of a “stat sheet stuffer” as he averaged over 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals for his career.
Kenny Reynolds: Kenny Renolds (1976-1980) was part of the New York to Columbia pipeline under legendary coach Frank McGuire, and he played like it. Reynolds was tough as nails and had a never-ending motor. He never scored 20 points in a game, but he was essential to the Gamecocks’ success at the end of the McGuire era. By the end of his career, Reynolds averaged almost 9 points per game, over 4 assists per contest, and more than a steal per game.
Brandis Raley-Ross: A wiry, sharp-shooting guard from North Carolina, Brandis Raley-Ross (2006-2010) had one of the best shots from outside in program history. His reluctance to take many shots kept his career from becoming one of the all-time greats, however, as #5 averaged less than seven shot attempts per game while in Columbia. He won the 2008-2009 SEC Sixth Man of Year award after shooting over 50% from 3 that season.
Henry Martin: Henry Martin (1942-1949) was South Carolina basketball’s first-ever 1000-point scorer. His Gamecock career was interrupted by military service in World War II, but he came back from the war even better than he was before he left. Martin was known for his toughness and his ability to use both his right and left hands on the court, something that was a rarity in his day.
Brenton Williams: A talented player who never quite lived up to his substantial potential, Brenton Williams (2011-2014) was an elite shooter and a great athlete, despite his 5’10” height. Possessions usually ended once Williams touched the ball as he never met a shot he didn’t like and turned the ball over too much at times. His 89% free throw efficiency is the second-best mark in school history.
Mike Boynton: Mike Boynton (2000-2004) had a bad freshman year for the Gamecocks but later developed into one of the best shooters in school history. Shooting almost 40% from deep for the rest of his career, Boynton played vital roles each season but was at his best as a senior when he scored a remarkable 92% of his points from 3-pointers and free throws. Since finishing his playing days, Boynton has become one of the hot young coaches in college basketball.
Tarence Kinsey: A developmental project from Tampa, Tarence Kinsey (2002-2006) showed flashes of his potential in his first three years in garnet and black but really broke out as a senior. The 6’6″ wing made the All-SEC team after logging 15.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists per contest, and almost 2 steals per night. He had a short stint in the NBA before beginning a 15-year professional career overseas.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 12 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Scotti Ward
Scotti Ward (1960-1963) was one of the best guards in the ACC in the early ‘60s. He is known for his consistency as a scorer as he scored 9 or more points in 92 of his 104 career games. Much of his scoring success came at the free throw line as Ward is one of the top free throw shooters in school history, knocking down a cool 84% of his shots from the line.
In the early days of Carolina’s rise to prominence in the ACC, Ward made two All-ACC teams and put up his career high in scoring against future Gamecocks head coach Frank McGuire when he was the coach at North Carolina.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 11 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Zam Fredrick II
The son of Gamecock legend Zam Fredrick, Sr., Zam Fredrick II (2007-2009) only spent two seasons in Columbia after beginning his career at Georgia Tech, but those two years sure were fun. Playing alongside Devan Downey in the backcourt, Fredrick was part of an elite scoring guard unit that struck fear in the hearts of Gamecock opponents due to both players’ quickness and shot-making ability.
Fredrick was not the most efficient scorer in Gamecock history, but he routinely made difficult shots look easy and scored over 15 points per game while shooting over 36% on 3-pointers for his career. He was an All-SEC performer as a senior and showed off his impressive footspeed when, against Florida, he leaked out on a late-game missed free throw, got ahead of the defense, and laid in a full-court pass from Mike Holmes for the game-winner—all in fewer than 3.5 seconds.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 10 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
AJ Lawson
AJ Lawson (2018-2021) was a skinny kid from Canada who left high school early to enroll at the University of South Carolina. He was extremely consistent while in Columbia as he averaged almost identical numbers all three seasons he was in college. Lawson was an athletic and long wing at 6’6″ and was an important piece on an offense that only had two real plays: “get the ball in the post” or “get the ball to AJ.”
Lawson opened things up for other players with his ability to shoot from outside and effectively drive the basketball. After a couple of years of struggling, Hassani Gravett won the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year award once Lawson arrived on campus, and post players Chris Silva and Maik Kotsar were much more efficient offensive players after 00 arrived as reinforcements.
Unfortunately, Lawson’s value to the Gamecocks might have been best seen through his absence. After spraining his ankle and missing some time at the end of the the 2018-2019 season, South Carolina basketball went from the NCAA Tournament bubble to missing both the NCAA Tournament and NIT in just two weeks’ time. Lawson left Carolina after three seasons to pursue an NBA career, and he is still in the League today.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 9 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Duane Notice
Built like a truck, Duane Notice (2013-2017) was known as a defensive stopper while at Carolina, and that reputation was rightfully earned. Notice appeared to swallow up opposing guards as his quick feet were reminiscent of elite defensive backs on the football field, and his strength (a rock solid 225 pounds) allowed no perimeter player to move through him.
He was no slouch on the offensive end of the floor, either. Notice averaged over 10 points per game for his career on 37% shooting from deep and was a capable ball handler who filled in at point guard from time to time. The 2015-2016 SEC Sixth Man of the Year was a starter for the rest of his career and was a perfect leader in Frank Martin’s tough-minded defensive system.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 8 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Mike Doyle
Mike Doyle (1976-1980) was part of Frank McGuire’s three-guard system when it transitioned from two point guards and a shooting guard to one point guard and two shooting guards. Doyle was a big guard for the era at 6’4″ but played even bigger than that, routinely guarding forwards for other teams. The New Yorker was the embodiment of tough, New York basketball.
On the offensive end of the floor, Doyle was a consistent contributor. He averaged just under 13 points per game on a relatively-efficient 48% from the field. His physical brand of basketball put him at the foul line often, and he shot a nice 75% (including almost 85% as a senior). Doyle was honored as an All-South Independent player and was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1980 NBA Draft.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 7 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Jamie Watson
A big shooting guard from North Carolina, Jamie Watson (1990-1994) started his career slowly but turned into an offensive engine for the South Carolina basketball program. Never much of shooter, Watson became an unstoppable force when he put his head down and drove to the basket. He averaged 14.7 and 18.1 points per game in his junior and senior years, respectively.
Watson also was one of the best rebounding guards in school history, utilizing his 6’7″ frame to sneak in and snag boards from among the trees. After his Carolina tenure, Watson was drafted by the Utah Jazz and spent five seasons in the NBA where he moved to small forward. Watson finished third in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest before transitioning to playing overseas.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 6 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Jo Jo English
Stephen “Jo Jo” English (1988-1992) was a star for the Gamecocks in the late ’80s and early ’90s. English famously competed against Michael Jordan in an impromptu dunk competition when the former was still in high school. The reigning NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion reportedly challenged English after the high schooler “talked trash” according to many in attendance. The two would become teammates (English was Jordan’s backup) with the Chicago Bulls five years later.
At Carolina, English averaged over 15 points per game in his final three years as a Gamecock and showcased his tremendous athletic ability with high-flying dunks and a quick first step to the hoop when driving the basketball. He was an adept three-point shooter, as well, averaging 38% from distance his final three years as a Gamecock. English spent three seasons in the NBA before becoming one of the best players in various European and Asian professional leagues.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 5 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Larry Davis
A transfer from the North (North Carolina, that is), Larry Davis (1995-1997) played just two years for South Carolina basketball but made a big-time impact. After arriving at the true Carolina, Davis thrived in coach Eddie Fogler’s three-guard system along with BJ McKie and Melvin Watson. He led the SEC in scoring average with 18 points per game in the 1995-1996 season.
After his breakout season, Davis was just as good as a senior as he was one of three First-Team All-SEC guards for Carolina in 1996-1997 (with McKie and Watson), and he was chosen as an All-American. Davis scored over 1000 points in his two seasons (both All-SEC performances).
Davis averaged more than 17 points per game, over 4 rebounds, over 2 assists, and almost 2 steals in his career and was an unquestioned leader on the 1996-1997 SEC Championship team. The 15-1 conference record for the Gamecocks is a record for the program as was the 2-seed that Carolina earned in the NCAA Tournament. Since retiring from basketball after a short professional career, Watson has gotten into coaching.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 4 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Brian Winters
Brian Winters (1971-1974) has the smoothest shooting stroke in Gamecock history. The 6’4″ guard from New York (yep, another one) played alongside ball-dominant guard (and former high school teammate) Kevin Joyce when Winters was in his first two seasons. The arrangement hurt Winters’ numbers but made him a better player in the long run as he learned to shoot the basketball with a quick release and to make quick decisions as a driver.
Winters became the lead guard for the Gamecocks in the 1973-1974 season and was selected as an All-American for his high level of play. Sharing the scoring load with star forward Alex English, Winters still managed to average 20 points per game during an era of lower-scoring basketball. Winters went on to a decade-long NBA career in which he made two All-Star games.
While growing up in North Carolina, basketball’s GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) Michael Jordan got to watch Winters when he played at South Carolina and watched him even more closely in the NBA while Jordan attended North Carolina. After his playing career, His Airness called Winters the “best pure shooter” that basketball had ever seen. Winters spent 30 years coaching after retiring.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 3 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Zam Fredrick
The father of another Carolina great, Zam Fredrick, Sr. (1977-1981) was a tremendous story of hard work and perseverance. Fredrick played a lot his first three years on campus but saw his minutes fluctuate as he struggled to perform consistently, especially with his shooting efficiency. Safe to say, though, the Calhoun County native figured it out as a senior.
In the 1980-1981 season, Zam Fredrick led the nation in scoring. Under new head coach Bill Foster, #20 was given the reins to the offense and rewarded his coach with the most efficient (and most explosive) season from a Gamecock guard since John Roche and Kevin Joyce dominated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He scored an astounding 28.9 points per game, good for the second-best number in South Carolina basketball history.
An easy choice as an All-American, Fredrick almost won the John R. Wooden Award given to the nation’s top player but was edged out by BYU’s Danny Ainge. Fredrick was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers but became a legend playing overseas in Italy where he played as a rival to Joe “Jelly Bean” Bryant, father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. After his career, he returned to coach high school ball in South Carolina and became one of the best to ever coach in the Palmetto State.
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 2 Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
BJ McKie
BJ McKie (1995-1999) arrived at South Carolina as a true freshman for the 1995-1996 season and forced his way into the lineup despite upperclassmen Melvin Watson and Larry Davis being the primary guards on the team. Coach Eddie Fogler adjusted his system a bit to include the dynamic freshman, and McKie, Watson, and Davis instantly became the best three-guard tandem in the country.
After winning the SEC’s Freshman of the Year award, McKie went on to three All-SEC selections and made the All-America squad as a junior. McKie is the only Gamecock to ever average over 15 points per game for four seasons, and, subsequently, he is now the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina basketball history. McKie wasn’t just a scorer, however, as he averaged over 3 assists and over 3 rebounds per game in his career, as well.
After his Gamecock career ended, McKie spent a short time in the NBA before heading overseas for a decade. When he retired, the Columbia native got into coaching. His son Justin played for South Carolina, as well, and was an important member of the 2016-2017 Final Four run.
South Carolina Basketball’s Greatest Shooting Guard of All-Time:
Sindarius Thornwell
As “do-it-all” as any player in school history, Sindarius Thornwell (2013-2017) was the best overall shooting guard to ever lace up sneakers for South Carolina basketball. The first premier recruit to commit to Frank Martin’s staff at Carolina, the Lancaster native stayed home and was a starter from day 1 in Columbia as his versatility was perfect for Martin’s 3-guard system.
A tremendous All-SEC All-Freshman campaign saw Thornwell average almost 14 points per game while bringing down 4 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. Unfortunately, a knee injury hampered Thornwell and held down his production as a sophomore. The tough, 6’5″ guard played through the injury and didn’t get healthy until the offseason. He bounced back in the 2015-2016 season, leading the Gamecocks to a 25-9 record and making the All-SEC and All-SEC All-Defense teams.
Thornwell’s senior year, though, was the stuff of legends. Scoring 21.5 points per game and securing over 7 rebounds per contest, Thornwell also shot 40% from 3-point land and made the second-most free throws in school history with 215. A tough player, Thornwell was often asked to slide down to the small forward or even power forward spot that season when starters Chris Silva and Maik Kotsar got into foul trouble. Unsurprisingly, he held his own.
Another All-Defense campaign went nicely with his 2016-2017 SEC Player of the Year award. A Final Four run capped off Thornwell’s legendary Gamecock tenure, after which he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. He had a five-year NBA career.