Lamont Paris talks plan, potential redshirt for Morris Ugusuk
A few months ago when Morris Ugusuk arrived on South Carolina’s campus, the plan was crystal clear.
Ugusuk–who committed to the Gamecocks and reclassified up to the 2023 class–was going to spend his first year getting stronger while redshirting and be ready for the start of the 2024 season.
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That may still very much happen, but because of Ugusuk’s performance since arriving that plan is a little murkier.
“I think his plan, to be quite honest with you, coming here was to redshirt. He was slight in his build,” Lamont Paris said. 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.
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That’s a decision, though, that won’t get determined until the Gamecocks begin their season in early November against USC Upstate. There’s still plenty of practice time to figure out the best plan moving forward.
“I don’t know. That’s a good question,” Paris said when asked of Ugusuk would redshirt. “Here’s where I stand normally in playing versus redshirting. I tell guys and give them some input as we get closer to the first game. Then I let them make a decision ultimately on what they want to do. If they’re not going to be a guy I think I can get consistent minutes out of, I usually recommend they redshirt.”
A native of Finland, Ugusuk played for Omnia Basketball Academy where he averaged 17.2 points and 5.3 assists last season.
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He’s part of a three-man freshman class that includes Collin Murray-Boyles and Arden Conyers. It’s a trio South Carolina’s staff is very excited about as the Gamecocks try and continue to build their program.
“Morris comes in from Finland and he’s a guy where I don’t know what he weighed when he got here but it wasn’t near as much as it is now,” Paris said. “He’s gotten much stronger. He’s another guy who has a great feel for the game.”
