Columbia, S.C. – Strong New Additions for Gamecock Basketball
In a significant move for South Carolina basketball, head coach Lamont Paris announced the addition of four new signees for the fall of 2025 on Sunday. The players who officially signed financial aid agreements are Hayden Assemian from Greenville, S.C., Eli Ellis from Hickory, N.C., Grant Polk from Gainesville, Va., and EJ Walker from Erlanger, Ky.
Major Signing Day Accomplishment
This group represents the largest signing day haul during Paris’s tenure at South Carolina, showcasing a promising future for the program. The 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 17 in the nation according to 247Sports, marking the first entry into the top 20 during the Paris era.
Details on the New Signees
Each signee brings unique skills and attributes to the Gamecock lineup:
- Hayden Assemian stands tall at 6-8 and weighs 220 pounds, playing the forward position and will add size and versatility.
- Eli Ellis, a 6-1, 188-pound guard, is known for his speed and shooting skills.
- Grant Polk is another forward, measuring 6-7 and weighing 195 pounds, expected to bring athleticism and scoring ability.
- EJ Walker also joins as a 6-8, 220-pound forward, complementing Assemian’s size and bringing depth to the frontcourt.
This Year’s Road Success
While looking ahead to the future, the current South Carolina team is enjoying considerable success this season. Morris Ugusuk led the Gamecocks with a career-high 18 points as they seek to extend their three-game road winning streak, which has been ongoing since last season.
As they make their return to Assembly Hall for the first time since 1973, there is palpable excitement around the program. In a recent match-up against the Tigers, Carolina displayed dominant play, scoring 38 points in the paint and showing balanced contributions where Murray-Boyles27 points and Pringle added 15 points.
Anticipating a Bright Future
With these new signings, the South Carolina program is positioning itself for not only immediate success during the current season but also a bright future. The injection of young talent is expected to enhance the overall competitiveness of the Gamecocks in the coming years.
The excitement of the new recruits, combined with ongoing talent in the current squad, places South Carolina in a favorable position both now and moving forward. Coach Paris’s recruiting efforts are showing significant promise, and fans are eager to see how these players will develop within the game plan.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
