South Carolina Basketball: Breaking down the Gamecock roster for the 2024-2025 season

South Carolina Basketball's 2024-2025 Roster Breakdown:
Wing Zach Davis

Zach Davis began the 2023-2024 season as a reserve who was viewed as a defense-only player. By the time the season ended, the 6'8" athlete was starting at the small forward spot and had five of his six double-digit scoring efforts after insertion into the starting lineup.

Davis did not shoot the ball well from outside in his first two years in garnet and black. However, he has special athleticism and enough ballhandling savvy that if he becomes a passable shooter, he can be a real threat on offense. Davis is an aggressive driver, especially when attacking the baseline, and he has some good passing vision, a trait that developed when he played point guard in high school.

No matter what happens with Davis' offense, South Carolina basketball fans know what to expect from his defense. Davis is a very good on-ball defender, a pest off the ball, and an absolute menace at the top of the Gamecocks' 1-3-1 zone. His length and quickness help him force a lot of turnovers (sometimes with steals of his own, but usually, in forcing tough passes that become steals for his teammates).

Davis should have gotten more consideration for the SEC's All-Defense squad last season, and he will have a good chance to earn a spot this year.

With Davis and Myles Stute splitting the starting duties a year ago, there is a little bit of a question mark surrounding who will get the first minutes at the 3-spot this season. However, Davis' defense and his status as the starter at the end of the year should give him the edge. With the construction of last year's team, it was very difficult for Davis and Stute to play at the same time, but the versatility of the new roster could allow for the two wings to see the floor together in some situations.