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South Carolina offers teammate of incoming freshmen, 2026 commit

by: Kevin Miller06/29/25kevinbmiller52
South Carolina basketball recruiting target Jones Lay. Photo credit: Lara Zuk | Atlantic Collegiate Athletics
South Carolina basketball recruiting target Jones Lay. Photo credit: Lara Zuk | Atlantic Collegiate Athletics

South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris has developed quite the pipeline to Overtime Elite’s Moravian Prep. The team sent three players to the Gamecocks in the class of 2025 as Eli Ellis, Hayden Assemian, and Abu Yarmah all enrolled at USC this summer. In the 2026 class, Isaac Ellis has committed, too, and in the 2027 cycle, K’Majay Jenkins is a major target.

Next up, it appears, is big man Jones Lay. This weekend, the near 7-footer announced on social media that he had received a South Carolina offer. The new offer comes following a dominant showing for Lay at the DMV Live showcase, one in which he scored 20 efficient points (6-for-7 from the field and 8-for-8 from the foul line) against Spire Academy in just 23 minutes. He also recently played in front of the Gamecock staff at South Carolina’s Team Camp.

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Listed at 6-11 and 223 pounds on Moravian Prep’s roster, Lay looks even more filled out than his listed weight. He has enough size, strength, and fight to be a physical presence in the paint. However, he’s not just a bruiser; Lay has touch around the rim and is an improving shooter away from the basket. He has extended his range out to the 3-point line and is a better passer than most his size.

After playing multiple years at Atlantic Collegiate Academy in Conway, South Carolina, Lay joined Moravian Prep’s YNG Dreamerz ahead of last season. This summer, he is developing chemistry with Isaac Ellis, showcasing some bounce and a good feel as a roll man.

Lay is a good shot-blocker and a strong finisher down low on the other end. When he has the opportunity, he dunks the ball with authority, even through traffic. Athletically, he has enough in the tank to dribble past opposing bigs when he draws them out to the perimeter. That, combined with his shooting, gives him a high offensive ceiling if things go well for him as a prospect.

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