Predictions for the next South Carolina basketball season.
The NCAA has announced that the college basketball season will begin at the end of November, with November 25 setting up as the opening weekend of the year. With that said, we are just over a month away from basketball in South Carolina, in what must be an exciting year for Frank Martin and Co.
Gamecocks ended last year with 18 wins and looked ready for an appearance at the NIT before the Coronavirus pandemic effectively ended the basketball season. South Carolina will try to develop its 2019 campaign as it moves towards 2020.
With Gamecocks looking to turn the corner in this new basketball season, here are our predictions for the MVP team, rookie of the year, sixth man and best player.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Keyshawn Bryant
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Keyshawn Bryant
SF University of South Carolina
Gamecocks bring an experienced roster for the new year and will try to impact a very competitive SEC. The team really needs the players to introduce themselves and bring important leadership to the court. Gamecocks can surprise basketball fans if this MVP candidate plays to his potential.
The fashion choice for the most valuable player here would be top scorer AJ Lawson, twice, but let’s go with the most athletic player on this Gamecock list. Keyshawn Bryant totally overcame last season and has accumulated some standout points like the one below.
☠️👅☠️👅☠️👅 pic.twitter.com/2nAJ9rWz4N
— Gamecock MBB (@GamecockMBB) March 4, 2020
Bryant averaged almost ten points per game, got four rebounds and one assist per contest. It brings extension to both the offensive and the defensive side of the ball, with the ability to block kicks, create steals and stand out in counterattack opportunities. I see Bryant as a future NBA player and his extreme athletic ability can elevate him above the others on this list.
Bryant may be punishing in the ring, but he also has an impressive set of skills in midfield. In his first year, I imagine Bryant really leading the Gamecocks, becoming the team’s top scorer this coming season.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Patrick Iriel
Last year, Gamecocks had an impressive display of freshmen. The freshman averaged about 30 minutes per game between Jalyn McCreary, Trae Hannibal and Wilden Leveque. This season, the team brings two new great men looking to make an impact early in their careers.
Patrick Iriel impressed the Gamecock team with his size and athleticism throughout his high school career. The Columbia native was a three-star recruit, scoring a line of statistics of 13 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals per game as a senior.
Iriel is 2.10 meters tall and must help Gamecocks on the boards. It can be difficult to beat the big returnees Jalyn McCreary and Alanzo Frink, but Iriel may have a chance to see a few minutes due to his height.