Lost in the storyline of what have been the hectic past few months for South Carolina men’s basketball, was the addition of the pivot in the middle of the season Tre-Vaughn Minott. Montreal’s product through the NBA Academy for Latin America began its first game for the Gamecocks on Saturday, a significant step in its college basketball journey that began in January.
In Carolina’s victory over Georgia, the 6-9, 280-pounder scored 10 minutes with six points, three rebounds and a blocked shot.
“From the first day, it was obvious that he understood how to play close to the basket”, head coach Frank Martin said on Monday. “It was clear from the first day that there is a level of comfort for him, playing with his back to the basket. We needed that. It wasn’t just about catching the ball on the low post. He picked up three defensive rebounds early in the game to make his presence felt. Once he was beaten, recovered and blocked a kick, something that was missing, that rim protection. “
Minott was originally scheduled to be part of the 2020 recruiting cycle, but in the spring he decided to reclassify back to 2021. In late 2020, he decided to change his college start date and joined the Gamecocks program after committing to Martin and his team on January 8. He was on campus shortly thereafter, immediately eligible to play without counting his eligibility due to the free year granted to college basketball players by the NCAA.
Unable to be in the NBA Academy due to COVID-19, Minott has not been in many courts since the pandemic began. When he arrived in Columbia, there were more obstacles to overcome due to the state of his new program.
“The problem with him was that he had been home for 10 months in Montreal and was not in good shape,” said Martin. “So he arrived here in January and we closed. He didn’t practice until the 17th and so I was a lost cause in the first 10 practices because I was trying to recover my energy and health, so I couldn’t help him. Chuck (Martin) he wasn’t around (because of COVID-19) and he’s the one who works with big guys. He was just like me, trying to get everything back.
“The challenge (from Tre-Vaugh) is to continue to be in better shape, so that he can sustain the effort. I can’t play in the zone every second he is there, so with his ball screen cover, he has to learn to play in a posture instead of playing high. Those are the challenges with him, but the advantages are the other things we talked about. “
Minott played for the National Preparatory Association in Canada, which also helped form the current South Carolina guard. AJ Lawson as well as female basketball striker Laeticia Amihere. He spent the last year or so at the NBA Academy in Mexico City. Assistant coach Chuck Martin was the main recruiter for Gamecocks.
Minott received scholarship immediately with the Gamecocks due to the departure of the signer from the Class of 2020 Patrick Iriel, who left the team in the fall semester.
Minott’s decision to come to South Carolina, when he did, started a clock with another one pausing. For the past two months, he has been able to improve his fitness and learn to play for Martin and his team, while none of that affects his eligibility for the 2021-22 season and beyond. He will continue to be part of the attacking block rotation for the next two games in South Carolina, a Tuesday hosting No. 12 Arkansas and a road competition on Saturday in Kentucky.