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South Carolina guard Morris Ugusuk plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

by: Alex Byington04/04/25_AlexByington
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Morris Ugusuk (Jackson Randall/GamecockCentral)

South Carolina rising junior guard Morris Ugusuk plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Joe Tipton. Ugusuk, originally from Finland, will have two years of collegiate eligibility remaining wherever he lands.

The 6-foot-4, 170-pound Ugusuk averaged 4.1 points on 37-percent shooting — including 37.3-percent from 3-point range — and has been a 77.1-percent free throw shooter in 62 games over two seasons with the Gamecocks. Ugusuk started in six of the 32 games he participated in last season, averaging 5.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.4 steals during the 2024-25 season.

Ugusuk reclassified and signed with South Carolina in 2023 as a three-star prospect out of the Drive Basketball Academy in Helsinki, Finland, coming to Columbia alongside prep teammate Okku Federiko. As a senior, Ugusuk averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game at the Drive Basketball Academy. Ugusuk also represented Finland at the 2022 FIBA under-18 European Championship.

Ugusuk is the seventh South Carolina player to enter the Transfer Portal, joining fellow guards Zachary Davis, Arden Conyers, Austin Hero

Lamont Paris talks plan, potential redshirt for Morris Ugusuk

Ugusuk originally planned to redshirt as a true freshman but eneded up seeing action in 30 games in 2023-24.

“I think his plan, to be quite honest with you, coming here was to redshirt. He was slight in his build,” South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris told GamecockCentral in October 2023. “But he’s so advanced as a basketball player that I think we’re going to have to have a real conversation when it comes time to start playing games.”

Ugusuk’s biggest hurdle to consistent minutes was his weight, which wasn’t where it needed to be to withstand playing consistent minutes during a 30-plus game schedule.

He’s still skinny compared to his teammates but has put on over 15 pounds since arriving at the end of July, which helps his case to get on the court. 

Ugusuk did tell GamecockCentral during the team’s media day Thursday his plan as of right now is still to redshirt. 

— On3’s Collyn Taylor contributed to this report.