Gamecocks' run could help with in-state superstars Williamson, Brown
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South Carolina has reached the pinnacle of the college basketball world, taking seat among the elite and earning a spot into the Final Four. While all eyes are on this weekend’s action in Glendale, might the future of the Gamecock basketball program be ready to ascend to another level?
A state vastly underrated for its basketball talent, the Palmetto State will see three of its past four Mr. Basketball’s play in the Final Four this weekend. Sindarius Thornwell, PJ Dozier and Justin McKie have represented the state to its fullest, but it is two high school prospects that could take the state and USC to new heights.
Zion Williamson, the second ranked prospect out of the 2018 class and the most followed high school prospect of the social media era, lives less than an hour’s drive from campus. Christian Brown, a 6-foot-6 forward who is No. 5 in the 2019 class, lives in Columbia and regularly attends Gamecocks home games. The future of the South Carolina program could largely hinge on these two prospects.
Williamson boasts offers from practically every program in America now that John Calipari stepped forward with a Kentucky offer Tuesday evening. But there is something to be said for Williamson remaining in his native state within recent years. Where other superstars tend to migrate to powerhouse prep programs outside of their geographical locale, Williamson has remained in Spartanburg throughout his high school career.
Williamson is also staying in-state during the summer travel season, suiting up for the South Carolina Phenoms. While there is plenty of time for things to play out, South Carolina has done a fine job of remaining in contention for Williamson, and this run to the Final Four can’t hurt.
Brown has noticed the increased attention as Frank Martin’s No. 7-seeded squad has put together four wins in the NCAA tournament.
“Everybody is hitting me and Zion (Williamson) up; just look at what South Carolina is doing and that you should come here and stay home. It is just an everyday thing,” Brown said. “Last time I visited, Sindarius, PJ and Mac (Justin McKie) were telling me just to come here and that Coach Frank Martin is going to be tough but he is going to prepare you, as well.”
While the Gamecocks will try to impress the nation at their appearance at this weekend’s Final Four, they will also be trying to impress two in-state stars that have Final Four dreams of their own.
