Former Indian Land standout Rakym Felder commits to Frank Martin, Gamecocks

South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin on Sunday night offered Rakym Felder of Brooklyn, N.Y., and he quickly accepted to become the Gamecocks’ second commitment for the 2016 class.

Felder, 6-foot guard who played his freshman season of high school at Indian Land High in Fort Mill, S.C., before his mother moved back to New York City, said he was overwhelmed by the opportunity presented to him by Martin.

“Coach Martin just opened doors for me and he just kept it real with me,” Felder said. “He just made me feel comfortable with his commitment. He’s putting a lot of trust in me to come in and control the game for him as a point guard next year and to come in and earn minutes and be the best I can be as a person and as a basketball player.”

Felder has seen the Gamecocks and Martin in action and said the style of play is very attractive to him.

“I just like the fact that they play hard day in and day out,” he said. “That just goes to show what kind of future he’s trying to build at South Carolina. It just puts me in the state of mind where I know I can be successful with Coach Martin coaching. He expects a lot from his players and I like to be the type of guy that’s in charge and taking on responsibilities. I just like challenges.”

This season Felder is averaging 16 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds per game. He said USC was his first big-time offer and he will be taking his official visit soon. He will sign with the Gamecocks next month.

This story was originally published March 6, 2016 at 10:53 PM.