Gamecock hoops signee has senior goals, but he’s also focused on recruiting for USC

Trae Hannibal already has signed his papers to play basketball at South Carolina, but he is just getting started.

The Hartsville guard has some goals to accomplish for his senior season on the court, such as winning a region and state title. Off the court, Hannibal will do his best as a recruiter trying to get more players to come join him at USC.

“It feels great to stay in-state and represent my hometown and try to do the best I can for the school … and get someone out of the class of 2020 and 2021 class,” Hannibal said Thursday after playing in the Carolina Challenge at the Chick-fil-A Classic.

Hannibal didn’t say which players he would target in trying to get them to USC. But some of the in-state Gamecocks’ targets for Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 include Dorman juniors Myles Tate and P.J. Hall and Christ Church sophomore John Butler.

Tate and Hall both are playing in the Chick-fil-A Classic this week.

“I will respect anyone’s decision where they want to go to school,” Hannibal said. “Recruiting guys to go to my school is a big play and I will keep working at that, getting the 2020, 2021 class so hopefully they can come play with me and chase a ring.”

Hannibal has had an eventful week so far. On Wednesday, he went over 1,000 points in his career against York Prep but he was just getting started.

On Thursday, Hannibal played two games in a span of about 10 hours at different locations. The senior scored 23 points in a win over South Florence at the Pepsi Classic in Florence. A few hours later, he and his Hartsville teammates were back in Columbia at Richland Northeast, taking on Blythewood at the CFA Classic.

Hannibal poured in a game-high 38 points and 11 rebounds in the 83-65 loss to the Bengals, who feature Iowa State signee Tre Jackson. Against Blythewood, he played little more off the ball than at the point guard.

Hannibal was scheduled to compete in the Chick-fil-A Classic Slam Dunk contest after the game but withdrew because he was exhausted.

Hannibal and Hartsville will continue in the Pepsi Classic and take on rival Darlington on Friday and either play in the championship or third-place game the next day. The Red Foxes won the tournament last season.

“I’m going straight to sleep,” Hannibal joked. “We got a game at six against our rival so that is a big game and I need my rest.”

This story was originally published December 28, 2018 at 11:55 AM.