As South Carolina men’s basketball begins the process of rebuilding after a tough 13-19 season, the program is set to lose one of its key contributors.
Junior forward Elijah Strong has announced plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on April 7, according to his agency, as reported by On3’s Jamie Shaw.
This news marks the first confirmed player departure of the offseason and presents a new challenge for coach Lamont Paris as he looks to reload the roster.
Strong played a significant role for the Gamecocks this past season, averaging 10 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. He began the season coming off the bench but earned his way into the starting lineup, ultimately starting 18 games.
His versatility and work ethic allowed him to make an immediate impact on both ends of the court, giving South Carolina a reliable scoring and defensive option in the frontcourt.
Before transferring to South Carolina, Strong spent two seasons at Boston College, where he developed his skills and gained experience against ACC competition.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Strong has the opportunity to continue his college basketball career elsewhere, likely as a sought-after transfer target for programs in need of an experienced and proven forward.
Strong had previously expressed his intention to remain with South Carolina for the 2026-27 season. After the Gamecocks’ loss to Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament on March 11, he told The State, “I have no intentions on doing anything else but being a Gamecock.
I want to stick it out and play my last year under coach Lamont Paris.” While his statement showed commitment at the time, his decision to enter the transfer portal signals a change in direction for his career.
Strong’s departure comes amid other changes in the USC program. Assistant coach Eddie Shannon has already left the team, and several other players with remaining eligibility will need to make decisions about their future before the portal opens.
With multiple roster decisions looming, South Carolina faces a critical offseason in terms of talent retention and acquisition as it aims to return to competitiveness in the SEC.
