Columns

While it was not the year most anticipated for men’s basketball, I believe it was a year of growth for a few players who should have a big impact next season.

The future of sophomore AJ Lawson remains undecided, but the Gamecocks should return two players who saw significant playing time this season along with a transfer who gives them another point guard.

The development of Jermaine Couisnard is the biggest aspect of the team I look forward to watching. We all heard how tough and dynamic Couisnard was in practice last year, and while the year did not get off to the start he expected, it finished with the redshirt-freshman being the undisputed team leader.

Often on game day, I would point out on my radio show that the team would go as Couisnard went because he seemed to have taken ownership of the team. Combined with his ability to score and involve other players in

the offense, he developed into the player you wanted to have the ball in his hands at the end of a game.

The interesting part about Couisnard is that I am not sold on him as a true point guard and he could be better playing off the ball. The addition of transfer Seventh Woods, who practiced with the team this season, should give Couisnard the opportunity to do that and be a more dangerous scorer.

Woods is intriguing himself, as he will instantly bring a lock-down defender and add an element of speed to the team. The combination of Woods and Couisnard should be one of the better backcourts in the SEC next season.

The third player that developed slightly under the radar is sophomore Keyshawn Bryant. It may seem odd to say “under the radar,” but Bryant never seemed fully healthy until the end of the regular season. It was then that he went on a tear scoring and rebounding and showing his dynamic ability with monstrous “SportsCenter”-type dunks.

Had Bryant been healthy all year, it is hard to say just how good he would have been or how much of an impact he would have made in early non-conference games. With another full offseason to develop in the weight room and grow under Frank Martin, I envision him taking another step forward.

Those three players, along with the return of junior Justin Minaya, will be vital to the Gamecocks in 2020-21. The development of Jair Bolden, Jalyn McCreary, Wildens Leveque and Alanzo Frink will be important as well.

With those players returning, a solid foundation finally appears to be in place for Martin. While the results the first eight years have been up and down, the Gamecock program was never going to be a quick rebuild and instantly become a contender. It was always going to be a gradual

process that would require patience from the fan base.

With winning seasons in conference play four of the past five seasons and what appears to be a veteran team returning, the Gamecocks should be poised to build on that foundation and continue to take steps to become a consistent NCAA Tournament team.

Every team needs experienced leaders and with the trio of Couisnard, Woods and Bryant, the Gamecock program should continue its upward trajectory next season.

Bill Gunter is the co-host of the Early Game on 107.5 The Game in Columbia.

Follow him on Twitter @WillGunter.