From California to Carolina? Gamecocks reach out to Santa Clara transfer, NC native
Trey Wertz’s phone has been buzzing and ringing since he announced Tuesday that he was going to transfer from Santa Clara University.
Wertz, who played at Providence High School in Charlotte, said more than 30 schools have reached out. He has picked up offers from Arizona, Xavier, North Carolina State, Wichita State, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State.
South Carolina is one of the schools to show interest. Wertz spoke to Gamecocks coach Frank Martin on Wednesday night.
“He was just real straightforward and honest with me about where he sees me fitting in,” Wertz said. “And yeah, he wants me to come down to see campus.
“I was open to what he had to say. They are close to home and saw they had a pretty good year and everything.”
Wertz isn’t in a rush to make a decision and it might be a while before he is able to take any visits with schools being shut down because of the coronavirus. He is back home in North Carolina and will finish up the semester online. He would like to visit a school before making a decision.
Wertz is on pace to graduate next year and will have two years of eligibility left. He would have to sit out next because of NCAA transfer rules (unless a proposed rule is passed that would allow student-athletes to transfer once without sitting out).
The 6-foot-4 Wertz can play either of the two guard positions. In two seasons at Santa Clara, he averaged 12 points, 4.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds and started 58 games.
Wertz shot 56.6% from the field, including 40% from 3-point range this season.
“I felt Santa Clara wasn’t the best fit for me and I only get one more chance at this, so I want to make the best decision,” Wertz said. “I want to find the best situation for me to continue to grow as a player. My ultimate goal is to continue to play basketball professionally.”
In high school, Wertz played along future Kansas All-American Devon Dotson and current Boston Celtic player Grant Williams. They helped Providence Day win a state championship in 2016 and earn a trip to the Dick’s Nationals tournament.
As a senior, Wertz helped Providence Day win the American Division title at Chick-fil-A Classic in Columbia. He also won the event’s 3-point shooting contest.
Wertz is the latest player from the Carolinas to announce he would be transferring. The others include joining Yale’s Jordan Bruner (Spring Valley HS grad); Pitt’s Trey McGowens (Wren/Hargrave Military); Kansas State’s Cartier Diarra (West Florence HS); Wofford’s Chevez Goodwin (Hammond HS); Southeast Missouri’s Alex Caldwell (Richland Northeast/Wilson HS); and Georgia Tech’s Asanti Price (Keenan).
The Gamecocks have reached out to Bruner and McGowens already. There is a chance Bruner and Diarra, both grad transfers, could opt to turn pro.
South Carolina is on track to be one over the 13-scholarship limit already. UNC transfer Seventh Woods is eligible to play next season after walking on and sitting out — the plan was for him to go on scholarship. The Gamecocks would have a scholarship open up if AJ Lawson decides to turn pro.
There also is possibility that other players currently on the roster could transfer.
“There is a plan in place that we are at 13 when school starts next year,” USC coach Frank Martin said this week. “I won’t make that plan available. When we get closer to next year, I will let you know.
“We have been actively recruiting once again. You have to continue to recruit because you don’t know what is going to happen from day to day.”
