Alex English’s continued presence with USC goes beyond a throwback jersey
The most accomplished player in South Carolina basketball history is represented in the lobby outside Frank Martin’s office.
It’s just that the USC coach didn’t initially recognize the significance.
“I remember the first time I walked out and I saw that there,” Martin said. “I asked (USC director of operations) Andy Assaley, ‘Are we a side business for Dick’s Sporting Goods now?’ We got mannequins with uniforms in the office. I had never seen that one before.”
But this wasn’t any mannequin. It fashioned a white jersey and white shorts with garnet trim. “South” was printed along the chest and “Carolina” was near the waist — with “22” in the middle. “English” topped the back.
Everything made sense now.
“I realized it was his jersey,” Martin said, “And I said, ‘You know what? Great idea.’”
South Carolina (6-3) will go back in time when it hosts Houston (4-2) on Sunday, wearing uniforms from the Frank McGuire era, a period that came with national rankings, a conference title, NCAA Tournament appearances and Alex English.
The lone Gamecock player in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame isn’t only modeled on his old stomping grounds. He’s welcomed to make the short drive from his Blythewood home, step inside the Carolina Coliseum doors, watch his alma mater practice and provide insight to Martin’s staff whenever he wants.
Four decades after he last played for South Carolina, English remains a presence at South Carolina. Martin’s made sure of it.
“When I first met Frank, he wanted to invite former players to come be a part of what he was doing, come to the practices,” English told The State. “He would have an event for us and he welcomed everybody, all the former guys to his practices and being around his team.
“I thought that was great because other coaches in the past, they hadn’t done that. But he opened his arms and opened the arena to other players, so I said, ‘Hey, I’m going to take advantage.’ I wasn’t doing much, so I would go down to practice and watch them practice and listened to how he worked practice.
“Being a player and a coach and seeing how he put his game plans together, I enjoyed that. And the fact that he was welcoming to myself and other former players, that was a big plus.”
English was twice named All-American at USC. His 1,972 points are second-most in Gamecock history. His 25,613 points, coming mainly as a Denver Nugget, are 19th-most in NBA history. He stayed in basketball after his career ended as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks (2002-03), Philadelphia 76ers (2003-04), Toronto Raptors (2004-11) and Sacramento Kings (2012-13).
That’s too much of a résumé for Martin to turn down.
“One of my favorite players of all-time,” Martin said of English, who occasionally analyzes USC games for the SEC Network. “I’d tell players (while coaching high school ball in Miami), ‘That guy would get 40 and not even break a sweat on you.’ And now he’s there in practice every day.
“And you’re talking about a great basketball mind. A guy that played it at the highest, highest level of players. He’s probably the greatest player that’s the least talked about, at least in my lifetime. And then he coached it and has seen everything and has been around incredible coaching.
“He comes in and watches us practice and our staff just migrates to him and listens to him share the knowledge of what he has seen or taught that can maybe help us tweak some of the things we do.
“I’m not that egomaniac that runs around thinking that I got every answer. I’m constantly looking for answers. And when you can have him as a resource, as much as he cares for this university and this basketball program, that means a lot.”
English and Eddie Fogler, the only South Carolina basketball coach that’s led the Gamecocks to an SEC regular season title, live locally and come often to USC practices. Seeing their faces can be reassuring to Martin, particularly after a loss.
“When those guys come in and sit there to watch us practice,” Martin said, “that reinforces to me that people I respect in the game of basketball appreciate how our players work and how they’re being taught.”
It’s a hard-coaching style that English admires.
“I know what he does,” English said. “I know that he’s serious — serious, serious — about being a good coach, a great coach. And also about making sure that his players are doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
“’If you’re not going to do it right, you can’t play for me.’ I like that.”
HOUSTON AT SOUTH CAROLINA
Where: Colonial Life Arena
When: Noon, Sunday
TV: ESPNU
Radio: 107.5 The Game in Columbia area
Projected starting lineups
Houston (4-2)
G DeJon Jarreau 11.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
G Quentin Grimes 16.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg
G Nate Hinton 11.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg
F Fabian White Jr. 12.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg
C Chris Harris Jr. 3.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg
South Carolina (6-3)
G Jair Bolden 9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg
G A.J. Lawson 16.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg
F Justin Minaya 7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg
F Wildens Leveque 3.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
F Maik Kotsar 9.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg
