Martin on signees....

[JDRAY^#]

"After our team's end of the season meetings, Damien Leonard, Eric Smith, RJ Slawson and Brian Richardson have decided to ask for their release and will not be with the team moving forward," Martin stated. "We want to thank them for being tremendous representatives for the University, the Athletics Department and the men's basketball team. We fully support them and wish them the best moving forward."

Below is a brief capsule and quote from Martin on each incoming signee (in alphabetical order by last name):
Demetrius Henry (F/C - 6-9 - 210 - Miami, Fla. - Faith Baptist Christian School (Brandon, Fla.))
Fifth-year senior at Faith Baptist Christian School in Brandon, Fla. ... Hometown is Miami, Fla. ... Played high school basketball at Northeast High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. ... Averaged 18.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game during prep school season at Faith Baptist ... Rated a four-star recruit from Rivals.com and the No. 100 overall prospect, No. 119 overall recruit according to 247sports.com, No. 92 overall prospect and No. 20 forward according to Scout.com and the No. 33 power forward according to ESPN.com.

Martin on Henry:
"Demetrius Henry is a fifth-year senior. He's older, mature and has had a chance to evolve as a player over the last five years. I'm excited about the toughness and the rebounding that he brings to our team. He brings much needed size to our front line."

Tyrone Johnson (G - 6-3 - 202 - Plainfield, N.J. - Montrose Christian/Villanova)
A rising junior guard who will be eligible in December following the first semester of the 2013-14 campaign ... Transferred to South Carolina from Villanova in January of 2013 ... Drew nine starts during the 2011-12 season when he averaged 3.3 points per game and compiled 65 assists (2.0 per game) ... Posted a season-high 14 points in an overtime contest vs. Connecticut ... At Montrose Christian, helped lead squad to the ESPN Rise 2011 National High School Invitational ... Scored 21 points, including all 11 of his free throw attempts, to help spark Montrose past Oak Hill Academy 71-64 in overtime to the crown in the nationally televised finale ... Was named the tournament's MVP ... A first-team All-Metro choice by the Washington Post ... Montrose finished with a 24-1 record ... Attended Montrose from Plainfield (N.J.) High School, where he averaged 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals as a junior in 2009-10 ... Was a teammate of rising sophomore Michael Carrera at Montrose Christian.

Martin on Johnson:
"Tyrone won a national championship as a high school player at Montrose Christian. He has represented the United States in international basketball, and we're extremely excited that he joined our team back in January. He has taken full advantage of his redshirt time to become best friends with strength coach Scott Greenawalt to work on his game and to get himself as ready as possible for when his number is called on December 16th. He brings an unbelievable ability to pass the basketball and, is a big strong guard that fits the personnel that we need so that we can have success playing Gamecock basketball moving forward."

Justin McKie (G - 6-4 - 180 - Columbia, S.C. - Irmo)
Native of Irmo, S.C., who led his high school squad to the State Championship at Colonial Life Arena in the spring of 2013 with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the victory ... Named the Gatorade South Carolina Boys' Basketball Player of the Year in 2013 and also South Carolina Mr. Basketball after Irmo finished his senior campaign with a 29-0 record ... Averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game during senior season ... Rated as the No. 4 player in the state of South Carolina by ESPN.com ... Son of Gamecock great BJ McKie, Carolina's all-time leading scorer (2,119).

Martin on McKie (at the time of his signing in November 2012):
"With his name alone, it should give people an understanding of the kind of bloodlines that he has. Justin loves to win, and he is coached by Tim Whipple, one of the great coaches in the country, not just in high school basketball or in this state. In my seven months here, Justin has improved as much as any player that I have watched. We really like his toughness, his ability to play defense in a system that is similar to ours and his length and size on the perimeter. He is someone that, as we move forward, we think he is definitely a great part of building a championship program."

Duane Notice (G - 6-2 - 200 - Woodbridge, Canada - St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.))
Played one season at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., where he averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists ... Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and ESPN.com ... Rated as the No. 4 Canadian prospect according to Northpolehoops.com ... Named NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) First-Team All-New England and was a runner-up for Player of the Year.

Martin on Notice:
"After having tremendous success playing in his native country of Canada, Duane did a post-grad year playing at St. Thomas More for coach Carey Quinn, one of the most respected and professional coaches. Duane is an unbelievable competitor, once again 6'2", 200 pounds that gives us much needed size and strength at the guard spot. Duane brings tremendous skill along with an unbelievable competitiveness."

Desmond Ringer (F/C - 6-9 - 260 - McDonough, Ga. - Eagle's Landing)
Helped lead Eagle's Landing to first-ever state championship in 2013, scoring 17 points and collecting 14 rebounds in the title game ... Named to the Georgia Sportswriters Honorable Mention Team ... A three-star prospect by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com ... Ranked as the No. 7 player in the state of Georgia by ESPN.com.

Martin on Ringer (at the time of his signing in November 2012):
"Desmond Ringer gives us size, strength, athleticism and skill on the front line. He comes from a very successful high school program, and we're excited to have him be part of our family. He is a guy that understands how to play, and he has great size and real good hands. Desmond is someone that we feel will become a big-time presence on the front line for many years to come."

Reggie Theus Jr. (F - 6-6 - 190 - Los Angeles, Calif. - Fairfax)
A member of the varsity squad at Fairfax since his freshman season ... A two-star prospect by Rivals.com and a three-star from 247sports.com ... Named First-Team All-League by the LA Times as a senior when he averaged nearly 18.0 points per game ... Son of Reggie Theus, former NBA player and coach of the Sacramento Kings and New Mexico State, and the current head coach at Cal State Northridge.

Martin on Theus:
"He is a big, 6'6" wing who has improved by leaps and bounds over the last two years throughout his high school career. Once again, like the previous guys, he plays for one of the winningest programs in the state of California. After completing the season, we felt that we needed to continue to improve our length and our size on the perimeter, and Reggie gives us that."

Sindarius Thornwell (G - 6-5 - 180 - Lancaster, S.C. - Oak Hill Academy)
Helped lead Oak Hill Academy to 33-5 record during senior season ... A four-star prospect according to ESPN.com and the top rated player in the state of South Carolina ... Rated the No. 39 overall prospect in the 2013 class by ESPN.com ... A four-star recruit by Rivals.com and 247sports.com ... Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 43 overall prospect and No. 11 shooting guard.

Martin on Thornwell (at the time of his signing in November 2012):
"Sindarius Thornwell is an extremely talented guard, and he is a winner. In today's day and age, you have players that are highly ranked across the country that have a sense of entitlement, and he does not. He remains very humble and very loyal to his state. With his choice to play at South Carolina, it shows the kind of love that he, along with the other guys, have for this University. For he and Justin, representing their state was something very important to them. Sindarius has a chance to be a special player in our program. He is another big guard, who can play the point guard position, as well as the two and three. He is the consummate winner; he defends, he rebounds and he is a great decision maker with the basketball."
http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sport...042613aac.html

Did Jaylen Shaw sign? Martin didnt seem to mention his name.

[Carolina Pride]

Originally Posted by JDRAY^#

Did Jaylen Shaw sign? Martin didnt seem to mention his name.

per writers on twitter, there were some legistics getting his letter so he hasn't "officialy" signed yet and therefore Frank can't talk about him but he should have it in soon

[CoverTwo]

Do you guys notice a trend?

"Demetrius Henry is a fifth-year senior. He's older, mature and has had a chance to evolve as a player over the last five years. I'm excited about the toughness and the rebounding that he brings to our team. He brings much needed size to our front line."

"Tyrone won a national championship as a high school player at Montrose Christian. He has represented the United States in international basketball, and we're extremely excited that he joined our team back in January. He has taken full advantage of his redshirt time to become best friends with strength coach Scott Greenawalt to work on his game and to get himself as ready as possible for when his number is called on December 16th. He brings an unbelievable ability to pass the basketball and, is a big strong guard that fits the personnel that we need so that we can have success playing Gamecock basketball moving forward."

"With his name alone, it should give people an understanding of the kind of bloodlines that he has. Justin loves to win, and he is coached by Tim Whipple, one of the great coaches in the country, not just in high school basketball or in this state. In my seven months here, Justin has improved as much as any player that I have watched. We really like his toughness, his ability to play defense in a system that is similar to ours and his length and size on the perimeter. He is someone that, as we move forward, we think he is definitely a great part of building a championship program."

"After having tremendous success playing in his native country of Canada, Duane did a post-grad year playing at St. Thomas More for coach Carey Quinn, one of the most respected and professional coaches. Duane is an unbelievable competitor, once again 6'2", 200 pounds that gives us much needed size and strength at the guard spot. Duane brings tremendous skill along with an unbelievable competitiveness."

"Desmond Ringer gives us size, strength, athleticism and skill on the front line. He comes from a very successful high school program, and we're excited to have him be part of our family. He is a guy that understands how to play, and he has great size and real good hands. Desmond is someone that we feel will become a big-time presence on the front line for many years to come."

"He is a big, 6'6" wing who has improved by leaps and bounds over the last two years throughout his high school career. Once again, like the previous guys, he plays for one of the winningest programs in the state of California. After completing the season, we felt that we needed to continue to improve our length and our size on the perimeter, and Reggie gives us that."

"Sindarius Thornwell is an extremely talented guard, and he is a winner. In today's day and age, you have players that are highly ranked across the country that have a sense of entitlement, and he does not. He remains very humble and very loyal to his state. With his choice to play at South Carolina, it shows the kind of love that he, along with the other guys, have for this University. For he and Justin, representing their state was something very important to them. Sindarius has a chance to be a special player in our program. He is another big guard, who can play the point guard position, as well as the two and three. He is the consummate winner; he defends, he rebounds and he is a great decision maker with the basketball."

We are going to have a blue collar, hard nosed, defensive, elite rebounding team that knows how to win. I'm not sure how we are going to do offensively, but we are going to beat people up physically and mentally.

Can't. Wait.

[sc455]

very good class. happy to have them. hopefully we can make it to some kind of postseason tourney.

[davidmc467]

Probably one of the best classes USC has seen in years.

[RedSoxGamecock8]

nm

[FanofCarolina1]

No more RJ Slawson or Eric Smiith? Say it ain't so.

[Order 66]

Any chance Frank can pull that kid from KState who wants to transfer?

[JDRAY^#]

Originally Posted by Order 66

Any chance Frank can pull that kid from KState who wants to transfer?

Doubt we have room. And Miami seems to be his leader.

[CoverTwo]

Frank's got a scholarship left and its been reported he wants to sign another player.

Current team is Carerra, Kacinas, Chatty, Williams, Johnson, and the 7 freshmen.

[RedSoxGamecock8]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Frank's got a scholarship left and its been reported he wants to sign another player.

Current team is Carerra, Kacinas, Chatty, Williams, Johnson, and the 7 freshmen.

Any shot at Alerick Freeman from NC since UCLA granted his release ?

[CoverTwo]

Originally Posted by RedSoxGamecock8

Any shot at Alerick Freeman from NC since UCLA granted his release ?

Dunno, thought about that as well when I saw it. He goes to school in Nevada now though. Used to be in Charlotte.

[Spur20001]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Frank's got a scholarship left and its been reported he wants to sign another player.

Current team is Carerra, Kacinas, Chatty, Williams, Johnson, and the 7 freshmen.

Geathers is on a schollie and if Shaw signs we are full.

[robgusc76]

Originally Posted by FanofCarolina1

No more RJ Slawson or Eric Smiith? Say it ain't so.

hahaha

Somehow opposing fan bases will blame these players leaving on Spurrier cutting their scholarships.

[robgusc76]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Do you guys notice a trend?

We are going to have a blue collar, hard nosed, defensive, elite rebounding team that knows how to win. I'm not sure how we are going to do offensively, but we are going to beat people up physically and mentally.

Can't. Wait.

I like it.

[CoverTwo]

Originally Posted by Spur20001

Geathers is on a schollie and if Shaw signs we are full.

Geathers is said to be going on hardship and Bill Gunter @ TBS said USC is likely look to add another player. Most likely a post player.

[OldPat]

LOL, guys. My guess - the best since Frank#1 ran the program. Covertwo is right; Frank#2 has a plan and he's recruiting specifically to execute that plan just like Frank#1, Donnie, Ben Jobe and ole Buck did in bygone days.

Hold on to your hats, boys. Think we finally found the two that are gonna finish what #1 started.

Have you noticed how Dawn and Frank#2 are both using that railroad McGuire resuscitated to bring 'em in from all over the place - North, South, Europe and West as well as keeping our homeboys(gals) home? If Frank and Dawn can just add several more each - like A'ja & PJ - both teams are gonna kick ass and take names.

Regrets?? Just two. First one - I never saw Nureyev dance, but he and I are even because he never saw Jackie Thompson with a basketball in his hands leadin' the break. Two angels of death - Sneaky Frank and Skippy - on his wings filling those lanes, and thunderin' up from behind the best power forward in the land and the man whose outlet pass started it all, the Jersey Stallion.

When Tobacco Road needlessly destroyed a young man's dreams, they also killed the best college basketball team I ever saw. I know because I watched them practice. That team would have taken Lew and UCLA to the mat and won one or two national championships. With Grosso in the middle, they were that good.

Tobacco Road couldn't stand the thought of playing second fiddle to Frank McGuire and USC so they killed what should have been.

My second regret: Gamecock Nation never saw what should have been like I did. But with a little luck and elbow grease maybe Frank#2 or Dawn will finish what #1 started before I die. Sure would love to tell #1 we did it for him when I get to Gamecock Heaven.

[TwoNotch Dreams]

Glad we kept Brenton at least

[qcgamecock]

Originally Posted by OldPat

LOL, guys. My guess - the best since Frank#1 ran the program. Covertwo is right; Frank#2 has a plan and he's recruiting specifically to execute that plan just like Frank#1, Donnie, Ben Jobe and ole Buck did in bygone days.

Hold on to your hats, boys. Think we finally found the two that are gonna finish what #1 started.

Have you noticed how Dawn and Frank#2 are both using that railroad McGuire resuscitated to bring 'em in from all over the place - North, South, Europe and West as well as keeping our homeboys(gals) home? If Frank and Dawn can just add several more each - like A'ja & PJ - both teams are gonna kick ass and take names.

Regrets?? Just two. First one - I never saw Nureyev dance, but he and I are even because he never saw Jackie Thompson with a basketball in his hands leadin' the break. Two angels of death - Sneaky Frank and Skippy - on his wings filling those lanes, and thunderin' up from behind the best power forward in the land and the man whose outlet pass started it all, the Jersey Stallion.

When Tobacco Road needlessly destroyed a young man's dreams, they also killed the best college basketball team I ever saw. I know because I watched them practice. That team would have taken Lew and UCLA to the mat and won one or two national championships. With Grosso in the middle, they were that good.

Tobacco Road couldn't stand the thought of playing second fiddle to Frank McGuire and USC so they killed what should have been.

My second regret: Gamecock Nation never saw what should have been like I did. But with a little luck and elbow grease maybe Frank#2 or Dawn will finish what #1 started before I die. Sure would love to tell #1 we did it for him when I get to Gamecock Heaven.

Gave me chill bumps, I hope GAMECOCK NATION gets to scream it loud with tears in their eyes to #1 with you! Great to excitement around the basketball program, great to be a GAMECOCK!

[qcgamecock]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Do you guys notice a trend?

We are going to have a blue collar, hard nosed, defensive, elite rebounding team that knows how to win. I'm not sure how we are going to do offensively, but we are going to beat people up physically and mentally.

Can't. Wait.

We will no doubt have an upgrade in talent next year, be longer, taller, deeper and always have plenty of ball handlers on the floor.
We will no doubt be fun to watch and will keep us excited with plenty to talk about until tip off.
If recruiting continues to improve as it did this year with the talent with ties to this state and in the midlands the future should bring insanity to the CLA.