The South Carolina men's basketball team continues to reload its roster, as the team recently hosted 2026 forward Justin Caldwell for an unofficial visit this week. That visit seemed to go quite well for both the Gamecocks and Caldwell, ending up with the squad offering the young prospect a scholarship. Caldwell is a 6-foot-9 forward out of Berean Baptist Academy in Fayetteville, North Carolina. This was Caldwell's second visit to Columbia after he attended a men's game last season. And he quickly took to social media to announce his offer.
After a great visit & conversation with Head Coach Paris I am Blessed to receive a Division 1 offer from South Carolina !! #gogamecocks pic.twitter.com/O02On1cN4v
— Justin Caldwell (@JustinC2026) June 17, 2025
Caldwell is a 4-star recruit who has steadily climbed the recruiting rankings and drawn national attention from programs across the country. He has turned heads during the offseason with his production in the AAU circuit, as he continues to showcase his versatility. According to On3 Industry rankings, Caldwell is the No. 158 overall player in the Class of 2026, the No. 23 power forward nationally, and the No. 9 prospect in North Carolina. Caldwell has more than 20 Division I offers, with South Carolina officially joining in the race this week.
Caldwell is a physical player in the paint, but he brings far more to the court that size. He has consistently shown improved shooting touch and is capable of attacking closeouts with a quickness. Defensively, he has the length and instincts that allow him to block shots and defend multiple positions.
As the Gamecocks continue to target versatile frontcourt talent, the offer to Caldwell certainly continues to create momentum in the 2026 recruiting cycle.