South Carolina Gamecocks News: Football recruiting, basketball, baseball, and more

Here is the latest South Carolina Gamecocks News from the last week, starting with an update from the world of football recruiting.

Dylan Stewart (5-star EDGE) received some recruiting industry buzz last week. After the Gamecocks were considered the leader for the Washington DC native, Ohio State made a move (even though it was supposed to be a dead period for recruiting). However, the rumors that his recruitment was decided were overblown. He is still deciding between USC and OSU.

4-star running back Braylen Russell officially named his finalists last week. The Arkansas native announced a top-3 of South Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee. All three programs have a 4-star back committed already, and he has coaching connections at all three schools. He will announce his decision later this week on July 14th.

4-star Florida wide receiver Zy’marion Lang announced his top-4. South Carolina, Kansas State, Pittsburgh, and South Florida are his finalists. He will announce his decision on July 30th. It is unclear if Lang would be a “take” for Carolina if both Keylen Adams and Jonathan Paylor commit to the Gamecocks before then.

4-star defensive back target Jalewis Solomon announced his commitment date last week. On August 5th, the big-time athlete will make his college decision public. South Carolina and Florida State have both been acknowledged as his leader over the last month (FSU most recently), but the Gamecocks still have a visit with Solomon for the big recruiting cookout at the end of July.

4-star defensive tackle D’antre Robinson announced his top-10 list. The Gamecocks are on the list, and the group of finalists includes some of the top programs in the country.

High upside 3-star linebacker/EDGE prospect Devin Smith announced a top-5 that includes the Gamecocks. South Carolina, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, and Kentucky are vying for Smith’s services. He could be a linebacker or an EDGE player at the next level.

4-star Gamecock safety target Kaj Sanders made a commitment to Rutgers over the weekend. Sanders is from New Jersey and elected to stay home over offers from the Gamecocks and other bigger programs.

In the 2025 recruiting class, 4-star linebacker DJ McClary announced his top-8. South Carolina, Tennessee, Southern Cal, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, and Michigan make up his early list.

Also in the 2025 cycle, 4-star running back Justin Baker announced a top-6 of South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Ole Miss, and NC State.

The Carolina offense’s most explosive skill position player earned some deserved recognition.

Antwane “Juice” Wells was named one of the SEC’s “Most Explosive Players” by Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara.

South Carolina baseball picked up a huge commitment.

#3-overall prospect PJ Morlando, a South Carolina native, made his public pledge last week to Mark Kingston’s team.

Shortly after committing, Morlando traveled to Seattle, Washington to play in the High School All-American Game and participate in the National High School Home Run Derby. The Gamecock pledge was amazing all weekend.

In the All-American Game, Morlando earned MVP honors.

In the Home Run Derby, Morlando advanced to the finals and has the opportunity to hit on the field before the Major League Home Run Derby on Monday night.

The YardCocks also brought in several players this week in the transfer portal in the 2023-2024 portal class.

Matt Duffy, a right-handed pitcher from Canisius College, committed to the South Carolina baseball program. Duffy was electric as the 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Pitcher of the Year. He had more strikeouts than total bases allowed and fanned 119 batters in 80 and 2/3 innings pitched. He will compete for a starting rotation spot but could be a bullpen weapon at USC.

Tyler Causey, a big-swinging lefty, is transferring in from North Carolina. A South Carolina native, Causey is a corner infielder and corner outfielder. He has battled lots of injuries in his career so has barely played.

Billy Amick, the All-American transfer from Clemson, elected to commit to Tennessee over the Gamecocks and Florida Gators.

Mark Kingston’s club also got a different kind of commitment over the weekend.

Slugging first baseman/designated hitter Gavin Casas announced that he was withdrawing his name from the 2023 MLB Draft and would be returning to school. Casas his 19 home runs last season to finish 11th in the SEC and 2nd for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina basketball alum GG Jackson has been very good in NBA Summer League.

Jackson has been a consistent scorer and a solid outside shooter for the Memphis Grizzlies Summer League squad. He has also provided a little more on defense than expected and has blocked a fair number of shots.

Speaking of Gamecock basketball…

Former South Carolina big man Wildens Leveque (who followed Frank Martin to UMass after Martin’s dismissal at Carolina) is back in the SEC. Leveque will play his final year of eligibility with the Texas A&M Aggies.

Two South Carolina basketball teammates have been reunited in NBA Summer League.

Guard AJ Lawson and forward Chris Silva are playing together with the Dallas Mavericks Summer League squad. Lawson is expected to stick with the team in some capacity after a strong finish to last season. Silva is using Summer League as an open tryout. He could stick with Dallas or make a return to Atlanta or Miami, two organizations with whom he has played two stints each.

On the women’s side, three South Carolina basketball greats were selected to the WNBA All-Star Game.

A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston were selected as starters, and Allisha Gray is a reserve for the game. All three will play on the same team (captained by Wilson). The game will be played on July 15th at 8:30 EST on ABC and the ESPN App.

A former Gamecock point guard is becoming an assistant coach.

Khadijah Sessions will be the fourth assistant on Dawn Staley’s staff. She will be full-time but will not be able to participate in off-campus recruiting.

A former Gamecock assistant coach passed away.

Nikki McCray-Penson, a long-time assistant with Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks before becoming a head coach at Old Dominion and Mississippi State, passed away late last week after a second battle with breast cancer. She was 51.

South Carolina Tennis stars Connor Thomson and Toby Samuel won their first match at Wimbledon.

The dynamic doubles duo won last week and will play their second match on Monday.

Fellow Gamecock Tennis player Ingrid Martins also won at Wimbledon.

Martins is playing with Lidziya Marozava, and the doubles pairing won two matches in the Ladies Doubles tournament at Wimbledon before losing in the third round.