Cam Scott details decision to return to South Carolina basketball team
Cam Scott flirted with leaving the South Carolina basketball program but thought it was best to remain a Gamecock.
The former Lexington High standout talked about the decision to possibly leave and then return for the first time publicly during an interview with SportsTalk radio show host Phil Kornblut on Thursday night while promoting his youth basketball camp that will be held July 19 at Pleasant Hill Middle School.
Scott entered the transfer portal on April 1, weeks after his freshman season ended. He drew interest from several schools. But by the end of month, he decided he would continue to play for Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks.
“Like I said when I first committed, there is no place like home,” Scott said. “This is where I want to be. This is where I see myself and where the coaches see me being. They had a great plan for me that we were able to discuss. And I took an open mind going into the portal. But ultimately this is the right situation and where we are going to call home.”
Scott was a four-star prospect coming out of Lexington High School and switched to the Gamecocks after originally signing with Texas that fall. He finished up his career as the most decorated boys basketball player in Lexington High School history and helped the Wildcats to their first state championship since 2000.
But Scott had his share of struggles as a freshman last season while the Gamecocks endured a 12-20 season, a year after making the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 2.3 points and 10 minutes a game.
When he did get a chance to play, he made it count. In USC’s season-ending SEC Tournament loss to Arkansas, he had eight points and two 3-pointers on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting in the second half.
“I had the coaches in my corner the whole time. I had my family and supporters talking to me the whole time saying, be ready, stay ready,” Scott said. “... I feel like mentally it helped me build a stronger foundation and helped me get ready for what I need to accomplish this year. And I can even carry that on to the freshmen coming in this year. Those are things I am willing to share and talk them through if I see them struggling.
“I took the bright side of all the adversity I went through my freshman year and I am really excited about the upcoming year. … I have been training all summer, physically and mentally and developing in all aspects.”
Scott is one of the few players left from last year’s roster along with Jordan Butler and Myles Stute, who missed most of last season with a blood clot. The rest of the roster is made up of six transfers, including Meechie Johnson returning to USC after playing one season at Ohio State. There also is a five-member freshman class with highly-touted Eli Ellis.
South Carolina started summer workouts last week.
“I feel we bond very well together, always hanging out together and I think it is going to carry on to the court quickly,” Scott said. “We still have a lot of room to grow with only being a few weeks into summer. But I am excited and look forward to what we have and bring into this winter.”
This story was originally published June 20, 2025 at 9:05 AM.
