Another Tough Season for South Carolina
The South Carolina Gamecocks endured another disappointing 2025–26 campaign, finishing with a losing record for the third time in four seasons under head coach Lamont Paris. The struggles have increased pressure on the program to rebuild quickly and regain competitiveness in the SEC.
In-State Transfer Shane Blakeney Arrives
In an effort to strengthen the roster, South Carolina has landed a major in-state addition in Shane Blakeney, a Rock Hill native who was a second-team All-CAA selection at Drexel in 2025–26. His commitment was confirmed Sunday afternoon through his representatives and reported by DraftExpress’ Jon Chepkevich.
Development Into a Standout at Drexel
Blakeney began his college career as part of Drexel’s 2023 recruiting class and gradually worked his way into a larger role. After showing promise off the bench in 2024–25 with averages of 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds, he broke out in 2025–26 as a junior starter, leading the Dragons with 14.2 points per game while also contributing 5.1 rebounds.
Major Roster Turnover for the Gamecocks
The commitment comes during a major offseason reshuffling for South Carolina, with multiple players entering the transfer portal. Key departures include Elijah Strong and Eli Ellis, while the program also loses its top three scorers from last season due to exhausted eligibility, creating significant gaps in production.
Building a New Core Through the Portal
Blakeney joins a growing list of transfer additions as the Gamecocks reshape their roster, alongside Aleksas Bieliauskas from Wisconsin, Camden Heide from Texas, and Kory Mincy from George Mason. The influx of talent is part of a broader effort to rebuild depth, scoring, and stability heading into the new season.
