Highly regarded Brazilian power forward is Gamecocks’ newest commitment
South Carolina men’s basketball team has landed another commitment from an international player.
Brazil’s Mathias Vazquez committed to the Gamecocks, according to DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony. The 18-year-old Vazquez becomes the third international player to commit to Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks this offseason, joining Hugo Lopez and Juan Fernandez.
According to Givony, Vazquez is one of the top international prospects for his age and tore his ACL in May. That means Vazquez will likely redshirt this season.
Some analysts, before the injury, said that Vazquez could have been taken in this year’s NBA Draft. Vazquez also visited Texas and Michigan.
Vazquez has played professionally for Real Betis Baloncesto as well as Brazil’s national team. He was 16 when he made his debut for the Brazilian national team, making him the youngest player in the country’s history.
The Gamecocks are coming off a 13-19 season, and their roster is going through a massive overhaul. Twelve players departed because of graduation or transfers.
South Carolina has added six others from the transfer portal: Davion Hannah (Alabama)l, Jakub Necas (Duquesne), Shane Blakeney (Drexel), forward Aleksas Bieliauskas (Wisconsin), Camden Heide (Texas) and Kory Mincy (George Mason).
