Gamecocks offer in-state point guard

Hartsville point guard Trae Hannibal picked up an offer from South Carolina a visit on Tuesday.

"It means a lot, for them to have me and my family down today. It was a blessing and I just thank God for everything," Hannibal said.

Martin also was in the stands when Hannibal played against Nation Ford and scored 23 points.

Hannibal got a good look at the USC campus Tuesday and the basketball facilities and came away impressed with what he saw and learned.

"It was great. It was mind blowing," he said. "I've seen some other colleges and their facilities and stuff like that, but the family thing stood out with me with USC, and the loyalty. The mentality that they have, that's the same mentality that I have."

Some of Hannibal's other offers include Oklahoma State, Stetson, College of Charleston, Wofford, South Carolina State and Western Carolina. He said the Gamecocks and Oklahoma State are at the top of his list right now.

Hannibal, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, averaged 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists this past season for Hartsville and was an all-state selection. He is playing this summer with Carolina Wolves and played last weekend with TMP, which includes James.

Hannibal is part of a talented crop of in-state prospects, which include James, Juwan Gary, Christian Brown and Malcolm Wilson. All have offers from USC.

Hannibal said his recruitment is still open but USC is now one of his top choices along with Oklahoma State. He also has Clemson high up but the Tigers haven't offered.

He hopes to make his decision before the season.

He said Martin likes his game and sees in him a trait he looks for when recruiting players.

"The willingness to learn and to come in and do what I've got to do," Hannibal said. "He told me that I just don't know how great of a ballplayer I can be, so I'll come in and work hard everyday. And he was saying he knows I'm great offensively but he said I just don't know how great I can be defensively now."

This story was originally published May 15, 2018 at 10:00 PM with the headline "Gamecocks offer in-state point guard."