Predicting South Carolina's starting lineup and all other roles for 2025-26 season

South Carolina basketball takes the court for the first time since March when the Gamecocks host North Carolina A&T at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Only three players return from last year’s squad, marking a sizable transition from Lamont Paris’ third year to his fourth.

Last season, of course, South Carolina limped to a 12-20 overall record, managing just two SEC wins. The Gamecocks are hoping to rebound from that performance, having made the NCAA Tournament as a six-seed just two short seasons ago.

On a roster filled with newcomers, it’s hard to accurately predict a starting five. But South Carolina’s exhibition loss to North Carolina State makes it a bit easier. And those not in the starting five definitely have a chance to make a big impact for the Gamecocks. About a dozen players will likely contribute to the team this season.

Starters

Meechie Johnson, guard: Though he didn’t play for the Gamecocks last season, Meechie Johnson might be the most recognizable name on the South Carolina basketball roster. A member of Lamont Paris’ first-ever South Carolina team, Johnson was the catalyst for that record-setting year in the 2023-24 season.

Johnson will spend some time at point, but also in an off-ball role. He played almost entirely at point during the 2022-23 season, but was typically at the two during Ta’Lon Cooper’s time at the one during the 2023-24 season. This year, his role will likely be somewhere between the two, depending on which other Gamecocks guards step up. In terms of usage, Johnson will almost certainly average the most minutes on the team, especially given his offensive pedigree. At his best, he has a chance to contend for a spot on one of the All-SEC teams by the end of the year.

Mike Sharavjamts, guard: Get ready to learn about the concept of a really tall guard. Sharavjamts, transferring in from Utah, is listed officially as 6-foot-9. While South Carolina is his fourth school in four years, he’s made an impact at all of his spots, totaling 83 starts in three seasons. In those three seasons, he’s averaged between 22.4-25.0 MPG for the year, and that seems like a likely middle ground for this season in Columbia.

Sharavjamts, despite his height, is best suited for the shooting guard position. He can slash or shoot, but is prone to inconsistency at times. If he puts it all together… watch out. South Carolina simply hasn’t seen this type of player archetype in the Paris era, and there’s not really a recent Gamecock to compare the Mongolia native to. Tuesday’s game will be a big indicator of how exactly Sharavjamts will be used.

Myles Stute, wing: Gamecocks fans are familiar with Stute. However, this season’s Myles Stute is likely far more likely to resemble the 2023-24 role that he held rather than last year’s version. For one, he’s healthy, but Stute also doesn’t really have anyone challenging him for his role in the offense: a reliable wing shooter with serviceable defense.

Lamont Paris is familiar with Stute’s strengths, and Stute is familiar with Paris’s scheme. In all likelihood, Stute will start, average around 25 MPG, and take a large majority of his shot from deep. He’s a crowd favorite. While he didn’t score in the exhibition, it’s important to remember that it was his first competitive game since January. It can be hard to knock the rust off.

Nordin Kapic, forward: Throwing it back a bit, Kapic is almost a Hayden Brown like power forward. Rest assured, the Austrian is slightly taller at 6’8″, but he’s gritty and will fight down low amongst the trees. Kapic saw about 14 minutes against NC State, but he did draw the start. Though Paris values a four that can hit a three, Kapic hasn’t yet shown the ability to be an above-average three-point shooter.

But hustle is also a key trait for getting a role on a South Carolina basketball team under Lamont Paris. Kapic will dive for balls and do the little things that earn a player a starting nod. Kapic won’t get the same minutes as Johnson and Stute, most likely, but it seems probable that he will be on the court when the first whistle blows. Kapic and Elijah Strong’s roles will be very similar.

Jordan Butler, forward: Butler grew a lot as a player over the course of last season. In the win over Arkansas last season, the former four-star recruit looked really impressive. Sure, he averaged just 1.8 PPG last season, but this version of Jordan Butler is not the same player that Gamecocks fans watched last year. He’s improved after a full offseason in the Paris scheme, and his size (7-foot) and shot-making ability are a big plus.

Butler will likely start at the five, but won’t be used solely on the inside. Expect both Butler and Kapic to move outside at points in the offensive scheme for South Carolina. Having frontcourt players that can shoot is huge for spacing, and it’s the main reason that Butler will likely see 15-20 MPG.

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Key reserves

Kobe Knox, guard: Knox very well could be the first player off the bench for South Carolina. The South Florida transfer did come off the bench early and often against NC State in the exhibition. Knox scored 12 points and added five rebounds against Will Wade’s Wolfpack. Listed at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Knox is a big-bodied guard who can defend along the perimeter very well. He’s quick enough to cover smaller guards but large enough to keep bigger guards in front of him.

On offense, he’s not an elite shooter, but he can get to the basket and score when needed. Overall, Knox is simply a really good glue guy. He’s sixth man material. Statistically, Knox has improved every year he’s been in college, and it’s not inconceivable that statement remains true after this season. While there’s a chance Knox grabs the starting shooting guard role, it’s more likely that he blossoms into a crucial bench piece.

Eli Ellis, guard: Welcome to Columbia, Eli Ellis. The point guard starred in the Overtime Elite league, a prep alternative to high school. Ellis is already known online as a prolific scorer. That reputation seemed earned in the exhibition loss. Ellis scored a team-high 23 points, hitting five threes. That’s exactly why Paris signed him as a recruit, and it’s a veritable sneak peek of what Ellis can do for this team.

Ellis may become an All-Freshman caliber talent in the SEC: South Carolina needs his type of offensive production this season. Though Ellis has improvements to make on defense, his offensive skills more than make up for his lack of size. Ellis will likely average around 20 MPG, and could average double-digit points per game against SEC competition. Keep an eye on Ellis.

Elijah Strong, forward: Strong, a transfer from Boston College, might be the best shooter on the team’s frontcourt. Strong might be the closest thing Lamont Paris has had to B.J. Mack in Columbia, and that should guarantee him a decent role with South Carolina. Last year with Boston College, he had two of his best games at the end of the season. In those games, he tallied 26 and 27 minutes from the floor and scored in double digits.

Strong might not average those rates this season with the Gamecocks, but there’s little debate that he will produce in a Lamont Paris scheme. Let it be known that Strong shot 36.2 percent from deep last season. If Jordan Butler is in foul trouble, needs a breather, or even if Strong himself is playing well, the Boston College transfer will be on the floor. He’s a small-ball five with a big ability to spread the floor.

Hayden Assemian, forward: It’s hard to keep this type of athlete off the floor. Fouls will do that (Assemian had five in 12 minutes against NC State), but Assemian is a phenomenal rebounder and a springy jumper. He made a big first impression at the Garnet and Black Madness event before the season with some high-flying dunks. Despite being the size of a typical wing, he’s perfectly capable of being a power forward at the Power Five level.

In terms of Assemian’s role, the big man might have the second-largest role for a freshman this season, behind just Ellis. While Assemian won’t start, most likely he will come off the bench to play a decent amount, close to 10-15 MPG for the Gamecocks.

Depth pieces

Chris Essandoko, forward: Essandoko’s role might be the most difficult to pin. At his best, Essandoko can be extremely valuable, with footwork reminiscent of Collin Murray-Boyles. But in the past two seasons, that version of Essandoko hasn’t always shown up. He shot well from deep as a freshman with St. Joe’s, especially for a frontcourt player, but took a step back with Providence. Last year with the Friars, he averaged 4.3 PPG in almost 15 MPG.

If Essandoko is in his best shape, there’s a chance he raises those averages. But based on the very small sample size of the exhibition matchup, his role with the Gamecocks might mirror his production with Providence. Perhaps as the season goes on, Essandoko’s role might grow. But as of the opener, the big man will likely sit behind both Jordan Butler and Elijah Strong.

EJ Walker, forward: Walker is an interesting recruit. He’s already got SEC size, listed as 6’7″, 253. But in terms of seeing the floor, Walker might be behind Kapic and Assemian on the depth chart. Walker isn’t yet a threat from the perimeter, which limits his MPG potential. Does Walker have a chance to make a big impact at some point in Columbia? Absolutely. But as a true power forward, there are likely bodies in front of him on the depth chart. Walker will likely see a few minutes per game, but probably not more.

Cam Scott, guard: Scott actually entered the transfer portal in the offseason, but made his way back to Columbia. However, he didn’t have the impact that many thought he would as a freshman, averaging only 2.5 PPG in 10.2 MPG of action. In the exhibition against NC State, Scott saw the court for just over three minutes, grabbing a rebound and recording a turnover.

This season, with Johnson back in the field and the additions of Knox and Ellis to the rotation, it’s hard to envision Scott’s role increasing from last year, especially given the lack of playing time in the exhibition.

Grant Polk, wing: Grant Polk has already earned a reputation around Columbia as an elite shooter from outside. That should allow him to see the court as a freshman for a Lamont Paris offense that prioritizes both spacing and perimeter offense. However, he’s still raw in other aspects of the game, and Polk didn’t see action in the exhibition loss.

While the three-star recruit has the potential to grow into a solid contributor, it simply isn’t likely this year. Polk is more likely to be in a deep-off-the-bench role this season, seeing a few minutes per game.

Potential redshirts

Abu Yarmah, guard: Yarmah was one of the last additions to the 2025-26 roster. Formerly a High Point commit, Yarmah also played with Assemian and Ellis in their prep days. But while Assemian and Ellis are likely to see at least a sizable role, Yarmah’s path to playing time is a bit cloudier. Yarmah and Grant Polk are similar players, and Polk’s advantage on the perimeter would theoretically make Polk a more suitable backup to Stute at the wing.

With two players ahead of him on the depth chart, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Yarmah redshirt as a freshman. It’s not a foreign concept to Paris, who redshirted Arden Conyers a few years back.

Eli Sparkman

Eli Sparkman, guard: Sparkman is a fan favorite in Columbia. During Lamont Paris’s first season, the walk-on had a few appearances off the bench where he hit a three. (Much to the delight of the Carolina faithful.) He didn’t see much action as a sophomore, as the team was playing at a high enough level not to need his assistance. Last season, Sparkman was not on the team as a junior.

But flash forward to the 2025-26 season, and Sparkman is back with the program. His reunion was announced on the team’s social media accounts. While he won’t be on the court during clutch time, Sparkman might see some action at the end of blowouts, regardless of whether the result is in South Carolina’s favor. He’s guaranteed to have at least one moment at Colonial Life Arena where he comes off the bench, runs off a pick, and splashes a three.

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