Gamecocks pursuing 5-star basketball recruit, younger brother of Rocket Sanders
The South Carolina football program had a positive impact with Martay Barnes’ brother. Now, the Gamecocks’ basketball program will try and do the same with Barnes.
Lamont Paris and USC are in the mix for the Class of 2027 five-star guard prospect from Academy of Central Florida. The Gamecocks were one of the first teams to offer when college coaches were able to contact rising junior prospects on June 15.
This summer, Barnes also has picked up offers from Kansas, Indiana, Providence and Ole Miss. He’s also had interest from Kentucky, Michigan Baylor, Miami and Georgia.
Before this summer, Barnes already had offers from Florida State, South Florida, Mississippi State and Central Florida.
“Since June 15, it has really been blowing up,” Barnes told The State on Thursday at the adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships in Rock Hill. “I have been killing it since the live period I have been in and offers have been rolling since then.”
Paris was front row for Barnes’ Austin Rivers SE Elite squad game against Tennessee Impact on Thursday and has been in constant contact with the recruit.
USC already has a good connection with Barnes and his family. He took unofficial visits last fall to watch his brother Rocket Sanders play running back for the Gamecocks. Sanders transferred to USC from Arkansas for his final college season and led the Gamecocks in rushing with 881 yards and 13 total touchdowns. He signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“He said South Carolina felt like home, so it felt like home to me too when I was there,” Barnes said. “Coach Paris has been in contact with me and always talks to me. He is front row center when we play and shows the most love.
“I love the culture that they have there and the defense that they play. The coaching staff is great.”
Barnes said USC is sure to get one of his official visits when he starts taking them in the fall. The 6-foot-3 guard is ranked as a five-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite rankings, which factors all of recruiting services. On3 has him at the No. 1 combo guard in his recruiting class.
Barnes played his freshman season at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (Florida) and averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals. He transferred to Academy of Central Florida last season and helped them to a 19-win season and had a strong showing with them at the DMV Live period event in Washington, D.C., this summer.
Barnes also went over 1,000 career points in January.
On the AAU circuit this summer, he is averaging 14.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He had 16 points in the win over Tennessee Impact as he looks to help Austin Rivers SE Elite to its second straight adidas 3SSB Boys Palmetto Road Championship
“I’m an overall, all-around point guard. I can shoot, pass, defend and get my teammates open. And I love to win,” Barnes said.
