Nick Pringle has specific roster request if he returns to Gamecocks for next season
The question still hangs in the air: Will he stay or will he go?
Senior forward Nick Pringle has a decision to make — one that extends beyond whether he’ll use his final year of eligibility, but even where he’ll use it.
One thing’s clear: If he does suit up in garnet and black again, he wants some experienced company.
When asked what South Carolina needs to take a step forward next season, Pringle didn’t hesitate.
“More older guys, maybe athletic guys,” Pringle told The State. “Veteran players, transfers would be very nice for us. I don’t think the team right now needs a lot of young guys. But I think we’ll get some good transfers, some shooters.”
Pringle, who transferred to South Carolina from Alabama this season, was part of a trio of incoming transfers alongside Jamarii Thomas (Norfolk State) and Jordan Butler (Missouri). Head coach Lamont Paris has had success building through the portal before, engineering a turnaround from 11 wins to 26 from his first to his second season. That kind of leap didn’t happen this time.
Instead, South Carolina struggled, finishing at the bottom of the SEC with just two conference wins before a quick exit in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
Paris agrees that experience may have played a role in the struggles, especially in close games. There was a period this season where USC lost five of seven games by five points or fewer. That includes dropping a game to then-No. 5 Florida that USC led throughout but lost at the buzzer.
“Last year we were 8-2 in (close) games. This year we weren’t,” Paris said. “There were some things that we didn’t pick up quickly enough in order to win those close games. There can be reasons why some teams win a lot more of those games. Some teams don’t. Experience in certain positions might be part of it.”
But Pringle believes Paris can bring about another significant turnaround for USC men’s basketball — this time ensuring the team is built on experience.
“He’s done it already; I feel he can do it again. It just takes time,” Pringle said. “He has some of those guys. He got a few returners from last year, but if he gets more guys to return from this year to make sure that he carries that grid over to what his plan is.”
Paris said discussions about next year’s roster haven’t officially begun, but they’re coming soon. Some younger players are already locked in to return, and there’s a possibility senior Myles Stute could be granted an extra year from the NCAA.
If that happens — along with some key transfer additions — South Carolina might just get the veteran presence Pringle is looking for.
The biggest question? Whether Pringle will be part of it.
A well-traveled forward who spent a year at Wofford before two seasons at Alabama, Pringle now finds himself at another crossroads. His decision will likely come after conversations with Paris and those closest to him.
“I just wanted to finish the season out strong and just talk to Coach Paris about it and see what’s next for me,” Pringle said. “I definitely want to be here. Just want to sit down and talk to him and, you know, just dig into details for real and just try to make it happen.”
For now, all South Carolina can do is wait — and hope one of its most experienced voices chooses to stay for another run.
This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM.
