South Carolina Basketball: Updated 2022-23 starting lineup outlook after GG Jackson commitment
By Matt Melton
South Carolina Basketball picked up a massive commitment on Saturday when the Gamecocks landed five-star prospect and consensus top five player in the 2023 class GG Jackson. A former North Carolina commit who is reclassifying to the 2022 class, it’s clear immediately that Jackson will play a significant role for the Gamecocks in 2022-23.
However, what is the overall South Carolina starting lineup for the 2022-23 season set to look like after the Gamecocks added Jackson?
Updated South Carolina Basketball 2022-23 starting lineup outlook after GG Jackson commitment
Point Guard: Meechie Johnson
The starting point guard for the Gamecocks in 2022-23 likely comes from an offseason transfer addition in Johnson, a former four-star prospect who has spent the last two seasons at Ohio State. A 6-foot-2 junior, Johnson started in five games for the Buckeyes a year ago, averaging 4.4 PPG across 17.7 minutes per game, and could easily start for South Carolina in 2022-23, as could others such as Chico Carter Jr and Jacobi Wright.
Shooting Guard: Ebrima Dibba
Both the starters at shooting guard and small forward could also come through offseason transfer additions, with Dibba likely starting at the two. A four-year starter at Coastal Carolina, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged 8.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 5.4 APG a year ago, while also shooting 45.7% from the field and 80.2% from the free throw line.
Small Forward: Hayden Brown
Also an offseason transfer addition, Brown is the likely favorite to start at the small forward position. Having started in 81-of-111 games across the past five seasons at The Citadel, Brown is coming off his second consecutive season of averaging 18.8 PPG on 50+% shooting from the field, while also averaging 9.5 RPG and 2.3 APG.
Power Forward: GG Jackson
If there is one 100% guarantee in the South Carolina Basketball 2022-23 starting lineup, it’s Jackson at the power forward position. At 6-foot-9, Jackson will be the focal point of the Gamecocks offense, as well as an impact player on the defensive end.
Center: Josh Gray
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While Illinois transfer Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Tre-Vaughn Minott, and incoming freshman Daniel Hankins-Sanford could also start for the Gamecocks at center this season, Gray is however likely the favorite in that conversation. The junior averaged 2.9 PPG and 3.5 RPG on 50.8% shooting from the field a year ago after transferring from LSU.