One SEC program got clarity this weekend, with the South Carolina Gamecocks signing their fifth and final player on Saturday to bring their roster to 15. Meanwhile, I got some intel on the Oklahoma Sooners basketball program's Assistant General Manager, Trae Young, ahead of his decision in NBA free agency.
It wasn't the biggest weekend in college basketball, but with the 2026 NBA draft taking place on Tuesday, pro basketball had plenty going on behind the scenes this past weekend.
Here are your latest hardwood headlines from the SEC:
South Carolina's Lamont Paris finalizes Gamecocks roster
It's no secret that Lamont Paris's men's basketball team is second-fiddle to Dawn Staley's women's basketball dynasty in Columbia, SC. Still, in an effort to get back into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2024, Paris brought in a portal heavy haul. That haul also included some veterans from non-traditional routes.
Per Gamecock247, "Head coach Lamont Paris completed his roster with the addition of three players on Friday afternoon. Mathias Alessanco (Joinville, Brazil), Nasir Hines (Palm Beach State College) and Ford Wilder (Sumter, S.C.) all signed financial aid agreements to continue their playing careers at South Carolina this fall."
Nasir Hines' commitment was made official Saturday to complete the 2026-27 roster. Hines is unranked, but brings great size and length as a Cleveland product by way of Palm Beach State College in Florida.
Trae Young wants Anthony Davis back on the Wizards if he returns
There are trade rumors linking Anthony Davis to a trade away from the Washington Wizards. If GM Will Dawkins were to move AD before he ever suited up for the nation's capital's home team, that'd go against Young's wishes.
Per NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, "The dialogue that Trae Young has had with Anthony Davis, specifically, is that he's wanted Anthony Davis to come back to Washington." Robinson did state that Young and Davis are on different timelines. If Dawkins feels that way, then the elder Davis is likely the goner. Both could make over $50 million next season, and there's no proof they gel with Washington's youth. Or that they could win games together.
Young just opted out of his player option to hit the open market. While Young wants to return, he is meeting with other teams. Interestingly enough, Robinson feels Young could be a fit for a surprising Western Conference team if things go awry with the Wizards: the Utah Jazz.
"The Utah Jazz have a nice collection of talent. Ace Bailey and Jaren Jackson Jr. are both the key that starts the engine. I think Trae Young would fit in Utah seamlessly, and that would actually accelerate their growth process," Robinson told me.
Robinson did not mention former Auburn Tigers star center Walker Kessler, who is a restricted free agent, despite being an ideal pick-and-roll partner at the rim for Young. Instead, Robinson linked Kessler to the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers.
We'll see who Young suits up for this October and beyond. If he had it his way, it would be with Davis in D.C., but he might not have it his way.
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