There are several targets in South Carolina men’s basketball that punctuate 247Sports’ new 2022 recruiting rankings. Two of these targets, post player Julian Phillips and guard Jazian Gortman, are both players from the state of Palmetto that Gamecocks are focused on.
The two main targets in the ranking of 247Sports, which covers 150 players across the country, are the two perspectives in the state. Phillips is currently in 38th position in the ranking, which represents a drop of six positions in relation to his previous ranking of the network. His rating has also dropped by one point, and he is considered a potential four-star customer with a 96 rating.
Gortman is considered the country’s No. 53 player, which shows a strong rise in his stock. He was not ranked in the top 150 and, at the time, was considered a three-star candidate with a rating of 86. Now, he is a potential four-star customer with a rating of 95.
Gamecocks will want a guard and they will want a great man in the next recruitment class, and these are two of the best players on the recruitment board.
Other players who are now considered a potential Top 150 by 247Sports with South Carolina offerings include: No. 67 general power forward De’Ante Green (Arden, NC / Christ School); No. 87 general owner BJ Edwards (Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville Católica) along with the power forward Malik Reneau (Letter from the Hialeah Academy, Florida / Mater).
Other out-of-state players with Gamecocks Top 150 offers include: No. 57 general center Donovan Clingan (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Central); General No. 93 Chris Bunch (Concord, California / De La Salle) with striker number 113 overall Devin Ree (Terry, Ms./Terry).
All the players mentioned above are considered four star candidates by 247Sports.
South Carolina also offered another state player who is not currently ranked in the 247Sports Top 150. Power forward Perry Smith (Greenville / Legacy Charter), a three-star prospect with a rating of 0.9308 on 247Sports Composite, is also on Gamecocks’ radar. Smith was a varsity teammate with the current South Carolina powders Jalyn McCreary.
It is still very early in the process for the 2022 class and it is yet to be determined how the class structure will be. Gamecocks definitely want a point guard, and definitely want at least one post player.
South Carolina currently has three appointments that are part of the 2021 recruiting class, including guards Devin Carter and Jacobi Wright along with the post-player Carlous Williams.