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South Carolina basketball coaches checking in on recently-offered big man

by: Kevin Miller07/11/25kevinbmiller52
South Carolina basketball recruiting target Jones Lay. Photo credit: Joneswlay on Instagram
South Carolina basketball recruiting target Jones Lay. Photo credit: Joneswlay on Instagram

South Carolina basketball’s most recent scholarship offer went out two weeks ago to class of 2026 post player Jones Lay.

According to a report from On3’s Jamie Shaw, Gamecock assistant coaches were in Emerson, Georgia to see Lay play as part of the Under Armour Circuit. Shaw added that Florida and UCF were checking in on him, as well.

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Lay, a three-star prospect who plays at Moravian Prep for the YNG Dreamerz of Overtime Elite, is seeing his recruitment start to take off. In addition to his Gamecock offer, he has picked up offers from George Mason, Northeastern, Old Dominion, and Eastern Kentucky. While USC remains his only power conference offer, teams like Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, Virginia Tech, UCF, and Creighton have poked around, and he has scheduled an official visit to check out the Gators this fall.

Watching his film, it is easy to see why programs are intrigued by the big man. Listed at 6-11 and 223 pounds on Moravian Prep’s roster, Lay has enough size and strength to bang down low. He’s also a comfortable athlete with developing skills and an improving jump shot. If his game keeps moving forward, Lay’s offer list will continue to grow.

On3 is the only major recruiting outlet that has ranked Lay thus far. He owns a three-star rating.

According to On3’s database, South Carolina has extended seven total scholarship offers in the class of 2026. Guard Isaac Ellis, Lay’s teammate at Moravian Prep, is the ’26 cycle’s only Gamecock commitment. The 2025 class saw Eli Ellis, Abu Yarmah, and Hayden Assemian pledge their services to USC. All three also played with Lay last season.

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