Gamecocks basketball in the mix for highly-rated F Naji Marshall

Late last month, 6-foot-6 shooting guard Naji Marshall, of Greenbelt, Maryland, made an unofficial visit to South Carolina, and he has the Gamecocks on his short list as he works on a decision he'd like to make by the end of July.

"He told me he liked South Carolina a lot," said Marshall's coach Brendan O'Connell. "He's been to about six schools and he's got four of five he likes. He enjoyed Pitt a lot, liked Xavier a lot, and Maryland has always been a school he's liked a lot. I don't know how he did it but he hit Pitt and South Carolina on the same day. All he said was he liked it a lot. We have the relationship with Bruce (Shingler). I don't know the head coach."

O'Connell said Virginia Tech also in in the hunt. He believes Xavier, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Maryland have been the strongest the longest with Marshall with USC coming on late. Marshall has not named a favorite.

Last season Marshall averaged 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists per game.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Gamecocks basketball in the mix for highly-rated F Naji Marshall."