South Carolina Basketball Prepares for First Look at New Era Under Lamont Paris
College basketball season is right around the corner, and the South Carolina Gamecocks are ready to hit the court. On Sunday afternoon, they’ll travel to Greensboro to face NC State in an exhibition matchup at First Bank Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m., though the game won’t be televised.
This will mark the first public look at Lamont Paris’ fourth team as South Carolina’s head coach — and it’s a major reset. Meanwhile, it’s also the beginning of a new chapter for NC State under Will Wade, who joins the Wolfpack after guiding McNeese to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Here are the key storylines heading into the Gamecocks’ preseason debut.
1. A First Look at South Carolina’s Completely Revamped Roster
The offseason brought massive change to Columbia. Nearly the entire roster from last season is gone — only three players return, while 12 new faces have joined the program. The fresh mix includes six transfers, five freshmen, and one new returnee.
Although Sunday’s game won’t affect the team’s record, it will be an important test of team chemistry and early cohesion. “It may seem cliché, but chemistry is critical to success, especially with how many new faces there are,” one coach noted.
Fans will also get their first glimpse of Paris’ starting five and overall rotation strategy. Not every player may see minutes, but it will be a valuable preview of who could emerge as key contributors once the regular season begins.
2. All Eyes on Freshman Star Eli Ellis
After nearly two years of anticipation, Eli Ellis will finally make his South Carolina debut. The 6-foot, 192-pound guard from Moravian Prep (NC) was the crown jewel of the Gamecocks’ most recent recruiting class — ranked the No. 21 shooting guard nationally and No. 3 player in North Carolina.
Ellis made a name for himself with Overtime Elite’s YNG Dreamerz, where he earned two MVP honors and led his team to a 2024–25 championship. Expectations for his freshman season are sky-high.
South Carolina fans have seen impact freshmen before — names like GG Jackson and Collin Murray-Boyles come to mind. Ellis now steps into that spotlight. Sunday’s game will be the first opportunity to see whether he can live up to the hype against strong competition.
3. A New Identity: Living and Dying by the Three
After the Garnet and Black Madness event, Coach Paris gave fans a preview of his offensive philosophy for the year:
“We’re going to shoot a lot of threes — hopefully we make a lot.”
That simple statement may define South Carolina’s 2025–26 season. Paris’ squad appears ready to embrace a three-point-heavy offense, leaning into the modern game’s emphasis on perimeter shooting.
The approach carries both promise and risk — when the shots fall, the Gamecocks could be dangerous. When they don’t, it could spell trouble. Sunday’s exhibition will offer the first real indication of how many reliable shooters the team has and whether they can deliver on Paris’ vision.
The season may not officially begin yet, but Sunday’s matchup against NC State will provide a sneak peek into South Carolina’s new identity, a fresh roster, and the potential star power that could define Lamont Paris’ pivotal fourth year.
