South Carolina men's basketball head coach Lamont Paris met with the media on Monday for a summer check-in, offering updates on the Gamecocks' workouts, injuries, team bonding plans, and a few roster updates. The biggest takeaway: all but one player is currently in Columbia and grinding through the summer workouts. Even the ones that are not fully healthy are still showing up in big ways for the Gamecocks.
Meechie: The Veteran Voice of the Team
Coach Paris confirmed that senior guard Meechie Johnson is dealing with some tightness in his back and will be held out of workouts for at least a couple of weeks.
“He’s maybe a couple weeks away [from returning to the court],” Paris said.
That being said, Paris expressed that Johnson had not missed a beat when it comes to leadership for the team.
“Meechie is a very powerful voice for this team,” Paris added. “He’s been at practices and being a vocal leader from the sideline.”
Cam Scott and Eli Ellis: Youth and Development
Freshman guard and in-state star Cam Scott is still finding his rhythm, and Coach Paris emphasized that his development as a player will be on his own time.
“Cam’s still trying to figure that out, like a lot of young people. His timeline is his timeline. He’s ready when he’s ready. Could be today. Could be tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, fellow freshman Eli Ellis has made a strong first impression since coming to Columbia, and he is doing exactly what Gamecock fans hoped he would.
“So far, I’ve seen Eli doing Eli stuff — and I say that in all the best ways,” said Paris. “Extremely competitive. And that’s probably the understatement of the year.”
Christ Essandoko: Still Abroad
The 7-footer expected to add size and skill on the frontcourt for the Gamecocks is the lone player not present with the team. Paris explained that there are some "international hoop to jump through" to get Essandoko there.
Final Roster Spot
As for the final open scholarship, Paris expressed that South Carolina is expecting to use it, if the right player comes along.
“We’ll probably try to do something, but it will be someone that fits in really well or seamlessly,” Paris noted.
Team Bonding
With the NCAA limiting international trips to every four years, the last one being to the Bahamas in 2022, Paris the team bonding efforts for the team will stay local but remain intentional.
“The Bahamas trip two years ago was instrumental to that team’s success,” Paris said. “So, we’re working on local ways to build that same type of chemistry.”
There are a total of 11 new players on the roster. With plenty of cookouts, pool parties, and chemistry-building exercises on the schedule, Coach Paris is on a mission to mold this squad into a united front, both on and off the court.
The Draft
Coach Paris shared that he has conversations with " a ton" of NBA teams about rising star Collin Murray-Boyles. His message to the pro teams has been: don't draft CMB based on his potential, but rather on how good he is already.
“I tell them not to draft him on his ceiling, but on his floor,” Paris said.
Looking Forward
With Meechie Johnson leading the team vocally, young players like Cam Scott and Eli Ellis finding their place, and Paris building a brotherhood within the team, there is a quiet confidence surrounding Gamecock men's basketball. Stay tuned!