Muldrow staying home

Apparently, there is no place like home quite like it is in South Carolina. The Gamecocks continue to lock up the in-state players. Florence big man Sam Muldrow is the latest home grown prospect to pick the Gamecocks.

Muldrow, a 6-foot-9 big man from Wilson High School, is the third high school prospect to join USC, joining Aaron Ellis and Mike Holmes. Devan Downey and Zam Frederick are returning back to South Carolina after brief stints out of state.

According to Wilson High School coach Bob Wilson, the familiarity with the in-state school, its players and a family history all played a large part in Muldrow's decision.

"That is what one of the things that made him want to go there," Wilson said. "They are getting the in-state kids in this class and then the transfers. Sam is the fifth guy from the state. He's excited that they wanted him to be a part of that."

South Carolina offered Muldrow last week.

"When the offer came, it was an easy decision for him," Wilson said.

Muldrow's cousin, Carlos Powell, played for Odom and graduated from USC two years ago. Powell also played his high school ball at Wilson High. Muldrow is having a fine prep career like Powell did. As a junior, Muldrow averaged 23 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks a game and shot 64 percent from the field and an impressive 78 percent from the charity stripe.

"He gets results," Wilson said. "He gets the points you want him to get. He gets the rebounds you want him to get. He blocks the shots you want him to block. As far as what we need him to do, he gets results.

"I know it sounds like a cliché but the sky is the limit. He's made good strides over the last couple of years and he hasn't reached his plateau yet."