South Carolina’s Eli Ellis Out Indefinitely with Ankle Injury; Gamecocks Fall Short at Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. - South Carolina was already facing an uphill battle heading into Saturday night’s SEC showdown at Auburn. That climb got even steeper when the Gamecocks took the floor without one of their most reliable contributors. Freshman guard Eli Ellis was sidelined with a left ankle injury - the same ankle that had already cost him time earlier this season - and his absence was felt in a 71-67 loss to the Tigers at Neville Arena.
Ellis was seen in a walking boot and using crutches, and the school officially listed him as “out indefinitely.” Head coach Lamont Paris didn’t offer much clarity postgame, saying the injury occurred just a day before tipoff and that the team had to quickly adjust its preparations.
“I have no idea, to be completely honest,” Paris said when asked about the severity of the injury. “It’s an ankle.
It happened yesterday, so we’ve been preparing for this game. I haven’t talked all that much with the trainer about it other than I knew he wasn’t available today.
We’ll see how he’s responding to the treatment when we get back.”
This marks the second time Ellis has missed a game this season due to that left ankle. He also sat out the non-conference matchup against Clemson.
And make no mistake - South Carolina missed his presence. Ellis has quietly become one of the Gamecocks’ most well-rounded players.
He’s fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 9.9 points per game, and contributes across the board with 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and nearly a steal per contest. He’s not just a scorer - he’s a connector, a guard who can initiate offense, defend multiple positions, and bring energy to both ends of the floor.
Without him, South Carolina still managed to keep things close. Auburn jumped out to an early lead and never gave it up, but the Gamecocks hung around, refusing to let the game slip away completely. It was a gritty performance, but it lacked the extra spark that Ellis often brings.
Now the focus shifts to Tuesday night, when South Carolina returns home to Colonial Life Arena to host Oklahoma. The Sooners are coming off a tough loss of their own - they squandered an 11-point halftime lead in a home defeat to Alabama - and both teams will be looking to rebound in what’s shaping up to be a key matchup between two squads trying to find their footing in conference play.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on the SEC Network, with Kevin Fitzgerald and Daymeon Fishback on the call. Whether Ellis will be available remains to be seen, but for now, the Gamecocks will have to continue adjusting without one of their most versatile young pieces.