GG Jackson commits: USC’s Paris, Staley, Beamer and Rattler jump in with reaction

By Chapel Fowler

Updated July 23, 2022 4:52 PM

South Carolina men’s basketball was thrust into the national spotlight Saturday as five-star recruit and former UNC pledge GG Jackson committed to the Gamecocks.

Jackson, who played locally at Ridge View High School and ranked as the No. 1 player in the class of 2023 on numerous recruiting sites, will reclassify to 2022 and join first-year coach Lamont Paris’ program for the upcoming season.

Jackson, a 6-foot-9 power forward, had previously committed to UNC and coach Hubert Davis on April 27. He decommitted from the Tar Heels on July 14.

Here’s how social media reacted to the news of South Carolina landing its top all-time commit in the modern recruiting era, which dates back to 2000.

USC men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris

Keeping with @dawnstaley’s old school theme… pic.twitter.com/03sqhWMyX7
— Lamont Paris (@CoachLParis) July 23, 2022

USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley

GAMECOCKS for the WIN!!! @CoachLParis
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) July 23, 2022

USC football coach Shane Beamer

And have you seen what’s currently airing on @SECNetwork #GamecockNation ?? Amazing timing #ForeverToThee
— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) July 23, 2022

USC quarterback Spencer Rattler

we talked about it lil bro. Time to go up️ @_ggjackson
— Spencer Rattler (@SpencerRattler) July 23, 2022

Let’s get it! #SpursUp @_ggjackson pic.twitter.com/ynKzyik82e
— Spencer Rattler (@SpencerRattler) July 23, 2022

Gamecock great Alex English

#GamecockNation is honored and proud that you decided to stay home to continue to build your legacy. What a way for @GamecockMBB to start a new and exciting chapter! Let’s GO GAMECOCKS @_ggjackson #gamecocks https://t.co/lURhtY9AqS
— Alex English (@AlexEnglish_2) July 23, 2022

NBA All-Star and SC native Ja Morant

crib talkkkk https://t.co/wZoG7pUKOi
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 23, 2022

USC men’s basketball special assistant Carey Rich

Gamecock Nation, now let's have some fun..I promise we can't do it without you #DefyTheMyth #JustGettingStarted pic.twitter.com/Kh4ZL7kiL2
— Carey Rich (@TheCaptain_03) July 23, 2022

USC men’s basketball team account

Gamecock nation how are we feelinG?! pic.twitter.com/ZExQHyHynJ
— Gamecock Men's Basketball (@GamecockMBB) July 23, 2022

USC men’s basketball player Meechie Johnson

What a day to be a GameCock
— Meechie Johnson (@MeechieJohnson0) July 23, 2022

College basketball insider Jeff Goodman

GG Jackson, arguably the best player in the country, is headed to play for this man at South Carolina. Huge pickup for new coach Lamont Paris — who looks pretty excited here in the gym at Peach Jam after hearing the news. pic.twitter.com/lVt5e0D8Nu
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 23, 2022

ESPN insider Jeff Borzello

The expectations for Lamont Paris’ first season in Columbia are suddenly much higher. Statement signing. https://t.co/EmsHhu6fOW
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) July 23, 2022

USC men’s basketball player Chico Carter

…
— cj2 (@ccarterjr3) July 23, 2022

More reactions

Let’s F GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/3pjs5MuP6T
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) July 23, 2022

pic.twitter.com/yMfcO3Xd9i https://t.co/DRQaqKszmQ
— Barstool GGamecocks (@BarstoolUofSC) July 23, 2022

Lamont Paris hasn’t coached a game at South Carolina and has already landed the program’s highest-ranked prospect of the 247Sports era.

Though he’ll be just 17 for the first month of the season, GG Jackson figures to be an immediate focal point at SC.https://t.co/dObSdsXNOT
— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) July 23, 2022

Lamont Paris was an assistant for 20 years at five different schools before he got his first head coaching job at Chattanooga in 2017. Now he has a game-changing player at South Carolina. GG Jackson going to play for a head coach who knows the grind. Now, here comes the pressure.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) July 23, 2022

5 STAR GG Jackson has committed to SOUTH CAROLINA @_ggjackson

He becomes their highest ranked recruit in program history pic.twitter.com/bU72bw8GOE
— Overtime (@overtime) July 23, 2022

This story was originally published July 23, 2022 at 3:11 PM.

Chapel Fowler

The State

Chapel Fowler, the NSMA’s 2024 South Carolina Sportswriter of the Year, has covered Clemson football and other topics for The State since summer 2022. His work’s also been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the South Carolina Press Association and the North Carolina Press Association. He’s a Denver, N.C., native, a UNC-Chapel Hill alum and a pickup basketball enthusiast. Support my work with a digital subscription