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South Carolina basketball's Lamont Paris explains adding international players to roster

The Gamecocks addd some overseas players this offseason.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
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Feb 28, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris reacts on the sideline during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris reacts on the sideline during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The South Carolina men's basketball team is rebuilding after a difficult 2026-27 season. The Gamecocks finished 13-19 last season, and missed out on the postseason entirely. 

But as the program begins to prepare for the 2026-27 season, the Gamecocks have re-tooled their roster. South Carolina added several players from the transfer portal, including Aleksas Bieliauskas from Wisconsin, guard Shane Blakeney from Drexel and forward Camden Heide via Texas. 

But one big emphasis for Coach Paris this offseason also included landing guys from the international market. The Gamecocks added thee big names from overseas, including Juan Fernandez from Argentina, Hugo Lopez from Spain and Mathias Vazquez from Brazil. 

The Gamecocks have several incoming freshmen from overseas as well, including Brazil's Mathias Alessanco and Jakub Necas from the Czech Republic. During a summer press conference earlier this week, Coach Paris was asked about his philosophy behind the international additions.

"One, their perspective is different than general, I’m speaking in generalizations; their perspective in basketball for this opportunity is different than American-born players in terms of just what the opportunity means," Paris said via Gamecock Central. "Generally speaking, it’s a different perspective, and I like having some of that perspective on our team. You know, those guys have been shooting from the international three-point line their entire lives, versus going from high school, then when you get to college, you’re shooting from the college three-point line. 

"Stylistically, there’s typically been a concentration earlier in their lives on some fundamentals, some fundamental things, and skill, and there’s just some differences that way. And so I’ve always valued that. I value diversity on our team, also."

In addition to adding international players, the Gamecocks will also be playing against some overseas competition before the regular season tips off. The Gamecocks will play in the Baha Mar basketball tournament in August, where South Carolina will play a pair of international teams. 

South Carolina's 2026 SEC season will begin on Saturday, Jan. 2, with the rest of the 2026-27 season to be released in the coming months. 

Kudos to Coach Paris in taking the initiative in changing some things up recruiting-wise for the Gamecocks this offseason.

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