South Carolina Men's Basketball: Coaching and Player Changes
South Carolina's men's basketball team is undergoing significant changes as head coach Lamont Paris reshapes his staff. Assistant coach Will Bailey will not be returning next season, marking the second coaching departure following Eddie Shannon's exit earlier this month.
Bailey's journey with the Gamecocks has been noteworthy. He served under Frank Martin from 2020 to 2022 before rejoining the team for the 2024-25 season. With over two decades of coaching experience, Bailey has made stops at East Tennessee State, Maine, Chicago State, and UAB, where he was recognized as the defensive player of the year in 1997.
This past season, the Gamecocks wrapped up with a 13-19 record, including a 4-14 run in the SEC, placing them 14th in the conference standings. Their campaign concluded with an 86-74 loss to Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament's first round in Nashville.
Looking ahead, South Carolina is bracing for player departures as well. Four players are set to enter the transfer portal next month: center Jordan Butler, forward EJ Walker, guard Eli Ellis, and forward Elijah Strong.
In terms of roster changes, here's a quick rundown:
Coaching Staff Departures:
- Eddie Shannon, Assistant Coach
- Will Bailey, Assistant Coach
Player Departures:
- Jordan Butler, F (Transfer Portal)
- Eli Ellis, G (Transfer Portal)
- Elijah Strong, F (Transfer Portal)
- EJ Walker, F (Transfer Portal)
- Meechie Johnson, G (Out of Eligibility)
- Nordin Kapic, F (Out of Eligibility)
- Kobe Knox, G (Out of Eligibility)
- Mike Sharavjamts, G (Out of Eligibility)
- Eli Sparkman, G (Out of Eligibility)
- Myles Stute, G (Out of Eligibility)
As the offseason unfolds, South Carolina will be looking to rebuild and retool both its coaching staff and player roster, aiming for a stronger showing in the upcoming season.