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- Thread starter FurmanCock
- Start date
Someone with ties to Ohio told me the speculation was pretty strong that he is coming back here.
We would still need another strong G like Ta'Lon if he came back to Columbia regardless.
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
I think the reason he gave was something along the lines of a grandfather that was ill.
Yes, and I definitely agree that we need a strong PG that can distribute and facilitate while playing lockdown defense.
Yes, and I definitely agree that we need a strong PG that can distribute and facilitate while playing lockdown defense.
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
It's being reported that Meechie is coming back to the Gamecocks:
https://www.si.com/college/southcar...th-carolina-commits-to-gamecocks-01jqs7qpnde4
Well, between Ellis, Eaglestaff and Johnson (Stute, if back) the threes should be flying. We have shooters, now need to concentrate on PG and some bigs.
https://www.si.com/college/southcar...th-carolina-commits-to-gamecocks-01jqs7qpnde4
Well, between Ellis, Eaglestaff and Johnson (Stute, if back) the threes should be flying. We have shooters, now need to concentrate on PG and some bigs.
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
Financial paperwork for Eaglestaff is in.
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
No official word if he has been granted a medical waiver, but at least it seems like he wants back if he can get one.
His grandfather must have taken a turn and passed and he probably wanted to do the right thing and be there toward the end. He did the responsible thing.
Welcome back with open arms, youngblood.
Ohio State's Meechie Johnson aiming for storybook ending to emotional career
Meechie Johnson Jr.'s college journey hasn't gone how he expected, but somehow it has led him back to where it started at Ohio State.
www.dispatch.com
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
SC adds Kobe Knox to the basketball team.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...commitment-with-an-nba-connection/ar-AA1CaJDy
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...commitment-with-an-nba-connection/ar-AA1CaJDy
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
doublea1971
GCF Top Poster
i will reiterate what I said on Sunday…
doublea1971
GCF Top Poster
So what’s left for Coach Paris to fill? I’d see it being another true big man. Perhaps chasing after someone like Malique Ewin (FSU), or Henri Veesaar (Arizona). I also like some unknowns like Christoph Tilly (Santa Clara) or a small handful of lower ranked mid-major guys. There’s not a lot to pick from at this point… hot commodity position. But with only 2 guys - Butler (returning) and Essandoko (coming in), there is a real need there.
Meechie Johnson is back. Man what a different team we are going to have this year. Meechie was not just a double-digit shooter, he got a ton of assist and most of them to CMB. Can you imagine having them together again? CMB could easily be what we need to get back to the NCAA again. And with his decent NIL and his buddy Meechie back, who knows what he might do?
doublea1971
GCF Top Poster
My guess? CMB returns, thanks to his superstar girlfriend’s (Chloe Kitts) influence. The campus power couple can truly BOTH benefit from another year on campus and get a massive NBA/WNBA payday at the conclusion of the 25-2026 season, if they do.
I did know that, thank you! RIP Mr. William Johnson and Welcome back Meeeeeeechie!!
THIS!! The Dreamer in me says Hollywood has it written in stone, CMB asks her to marry him, they have fairytale 2026 title runs and become basketball and an online power couple, royalty!
My buddy and I were talking about getting a Murray-Boyles and Kitts 2026 billboard.... if he is not a top 7 pick then I think he makes more money in school with Kitts!
I think Fredericko will have a Morris type influence next year, he will rebound and defend at a high level imo. I agree the incoming Freshman need 2-3 more bigs, a stretch 4 and a wing 3 like CMB/Stute that can defend 1-3 or three bigs if CMB doesn't return. Hated to see Davis transfer, he was so versatile on the defensive end and seem to be figuring out how to let the offense come to him, without forcing up 3's.
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
The only way I see CMB not going to the NBA, is if his projection drops him to the bottom of the first round or later rounds. And the majority of projections that I have read have him as a top 15. Just looking at the salaries for the top 15 slots in the 24/25 season. The 15th pick was Year 1: $3.5m, Year 2: $3.7m, Year 3: $3.87m, Option Year 4: $5.92m, Option Year 5: $8.86 m. The other issue with waiting a year is that is one more year he will have before he is eligible to negotiate his second contract -- and that is when the serious $ start to happen.
Our entire NIL budget for this next year is rumored to be in the $5-6m range (up from $1.6 - $2.0 this year). Even if CMB gives the Gamecocks a nice home cooking discount of $1 million, that still leaves us with $2.5m NIL payment for next year, or 40%-50% of our entire budget. Eaglestaff is already in line for $1.0m of the budget. Coach Paris mentioned earlier this week in an interview that the price this year for any starter in the portal begins at $1.0m. There are just too many holes that need to be filled to reserve that much of your budget for one person. Plus, the NBA evaluations are not for another 6 weeks or so, I believe. That's a whole lot of potential portal players that you may lose out on while waiting for a final word from CMB -- and when you get the word it may be he is going to the League, and then you are screwed.
Make no mistake, CMB is the best possible 4 South Carolina could get for next year, but I don't think you can justify the potential opportunity cost of waiting for him. Save a scholarship for him, and if he wants to come back, then you start holding bake sales to pay his NIL (at the very least talk to the AD about a one time blown budget exception for him, or try to get big buck donors to cover).
I hold out hope, but I'm not optimistic.
Our entire NIL budget for this next year is rumored to be in the $5-6m range (up from $1.6 - $2.0 this year). Even if CMB gives the Gamecocks a nice home cooking discount of $1 million, that still leaves us with $2.5m NIL payment for next year, or 40%-50% of our entire budget. Eaglestaff is already in line for $1.0m of the budget. Coach Paris mentioned earlier this week in an interview that the price this year for any starter in the portal begins at $1.0m. There are just too many holes that need to be filled to reserve that much of your budget for one person. Plus, the NBA evaluations are not for another 6 weeks or so, I believe. That's a whole lot of potential portal players that you may lose out on while waiting for a final word from CMB -- and when you get the word it may be he is going to the League, and then you are screwed.
Make no mistake, CMB is the best possible 4 South Carolina could get for next year, but I don't think you can justify the potential opportunity cost of waiting for him. Save a scholarship for him, and if he wants to come back, then you start holding bake sales to pay his NIL (at the very least talk to the AD about a one time blown budget exception for him, or try to get big buck donors to cover).
I hold out hope, but I'm not optimistic.
doublea1971
GCF Top Poster
Put it up in downtown Columbia, preferable in a prominent place on campus, so CMB sees it and stays home for our first Natty in MBB!!
I agree with @FurmanCock. If his NBA evaluations come back as a lottery pick, he should go pro. Sure, he could use another year to develop his game, but it's a gamble. He might not progress as much as expected, could get injured, other players in next year's draft may be better and push him down, etc. Go grab that bag while you can! Get that guaranteed contract and bet on yourself getting better to get that second contract.