South Carolina basketball announces another redshirt

South Carolina basketball won an overtime thriller against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles on Sunday night. The Gamecocks had three players who were not dressed for the contest. Head coach Lamont Paris already shared that Cam Scott and EJ Walker will redshirt, so they were not in uniform. Joining them for the Southern Miss game was freshman Abu Yarmah.

Following the win, Paris shared that Yarmah will redshirt, too. Joking with reporters about the question being asked following the wild game at Colonial Life Arena, he said, “Of all the things that happened in that game, I’m surprised that that came up so quickly. There were 1472 things that were wild in that game.”

Paris continued, “But, yes, Abu has decided that he wants to redshirt, so I’m happy for him and the things that he’s going to attack this year, to be able to spend some extra time on some things. But he felt really good and comfortable about it. And so, if he’s happy, I’m happy.”

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Yarmah did not play in the Gamecocks’ first two games or the public exhibition against NC State. The 2025-2026 season was always going to be a developmental year for him, so the redshirt decision makes a lot of sense. With his length, athleticism, and shooting form, he could have a bright future. However, to have a chance of reaching his potential, he will need time to develop.

Yarmah, who is 6-6 and 209 pounds, signed with South Carolina late in last year’s recruiting cycle. He played with Eli Ellis and Hayden Assemian with the YNG Dreamerz at Overtime Elite last season.

The Rivals Industry Ranking considered Yarmah to be the No. 310 overall prospect in the class of 2025. He was also No. 56 nationally among small forwards. He was No. 20, regardless of position, in North Carolina.

With Yarmah, Walker, and Scott redshirting, South Carolina will have 12 scholarship players on the 2025-2026 roster.

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