After a season of hard lessons, South Carolina basketball’s young core is choosing to rebuild — right here, right now.
True freshman Cam Scott, redshirt freshman Arden Conyers and sophomore Jordan Butler have all confirmed they’ll return to USC next season, sticking with the Gamecocks despite a grueling 12-20 season that saw just two SEC wins and a quick SEC Tournament exit. Scott’s decision was the biggest question mark.
A highly touted recruit — USC’s fourth-highest-rated signee ever — he was expected to make waves for the Gamecocks.
Instead, his minutes dwindled and, by season’s end, he was watching more than playing. Yet, rather than looking for a fresh start elsewhere, he saw his freshman campaign as a “learning experience” and a reason to stay.
“Enjoyed every bit, every outcome, every situation I encountered,” Scott said. “I just wanted to be a big support for my guys, whether that’s on my floor, off the floor. Throughout the season, I feel like I was one of the more energetic guys, even when things weren’t going right, still trying to pick up people.”
That’s a rare perspective for a player who could have easily been frustrated. Barely seeing the court while your team struggles? Most would at least admit to some irritation. Not Scott. He just wanted to contribute however he could.
“Absolutely not. Something I love to do is be around basketball,” Scott said. “Being able to be with these guys that I get to call brothers for 30+ games, it’s been amazing. This coaching staff has been amazing.”
The numbers weren’t kind: 2.3 points per game on 25% shooting, 14% from deep, just 10 minutes a night. But when he did get a chance, he made it count. Like in the SEC Tournament loss to Arkansas, where he logged his most productive game since December, dropping eight points and two 3-pointers on a perfect 3 of 3 shooting in the second half.
Now, he’s looking to build on that and become a more complete basketball player next season. “Getting on the floor, being able to contribute was huge as well,” Scott said. “So, being able to carry that in the next year is something.” Scott, Butler, and Conyers will form the backbone of what South Carolina is building.
Butler and Conyers carved out minutes and roles in the Gamecocks’ rotation as the season progressed. It’s not a finished product yet — not even close — but continuity is a good place to start. And for a team that’s taken its fair share of lumps, having young talent buy in for another go-round? That’s a win in itself.
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