May 18, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin announced on Wednesday the signing of Rakym Felder (G – 6-0 ââ’¬” 180 ââ’¬” Lincoln High School ââ’¬” Brooklyn, N.Y.), Hassani Gravett (G ââ’¬” 6-2 ââ’¬” 180 ââ’¬” Villa Rica, Ga./Alexander/Hargrave Military Academy/Pensacola State College), Khadim Gueye (C ââ’¬” 7-1 ââ’¬” 220 ââ’¬” Senegal/Bradenton, Fla./Victory Rock Prep), Kory Holden (G ââ’¬” 6-2 ââ’¬” 180 ââ’¬” Salisbury, Md./J.M. Bennett/Delaware) and Maik Kalev-Kotsar (F ââ’¬” 6-9 – 220 ââ’¬” Estonia/Wichita, Kan./Sunrise Christian Academy). The group will join the Gamecocks for the 2016-17 campaign, with Felder, Gueye and Kotsar having four years of eligibility, Gravett with three years and Holden with two (beginning in 2017-18). The group joins fall signee Sedee Keita.

“Given the circumstances at the end of the season, I couldn’t be happier with our incoming class,” Martin said. “The guys we’ve signed in the spring, coupled with Sedee Keita will give us a very talented group of guys. They all add a different dimension to our team.

“Unfortunately as our end-of-year meetings continued to happen, Raymond Doby and I agreed that a change of scenery would be good for him. Ray is a fine young man, and we wish him nothing but success.”

Below is a brief capsule and quote from Martin on each signee:

Rakym Felder (G – 6-0 ââ’¬” 180 ââ’¬” Lincoln High School ââ’¬” Brooklyn, N.Y.)
– Labeled as a strong finisher at the rim and an excellent defender
– 16 points, four rebounds and six assists as a senior at Lincoln High School
– Three-star prospect according to 247sports.com
– Played freshman season at Indian Land High School in Fort Mill, S.C.

Martin on Felder:
“Rakym, who played at Lincoln High School in New York, gives you a tough-minded, play-making guard who can score, pass, who understands how to play and can really defend.”

Hassani Gravett (G ââ’¬” 6-2 ââ’¬” 180 ââ’¬” Villa Rica, Ga./Alexander/Hargrave Military Academy/Pensacola State College)
– Played last season at Pensacola State College, earning Panhandle Conference Player of the Year accolades
– Averaged 16.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game at Pensacola State, hitting 41.3 percent from the field
– Was named the Georgia 4A Player of the Year following senior season at Alexander during high school career

Martin on Gravett:
“Along with Rakym, Hassani brings multiple skills to our guard position with athleticism, play-making abilities and a shooting ability that is above average.”

Khadim Gueye (C ââ’¬” 7-1 ââ’¬” 220 ââ’¬” Senegal/Bradenton, Fla./Victory Rock Prep)
– Labeled as a strong and physical center who runs the floor well
– Three-star prospect according to ESPN and 247sports.com
– Averaged 9.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season at Victory Rock Prep
– Native of Senegal

Martin on Gueye:
“Khadim gives us our first true shot blocker that we’ve had in our time here. He is a runner, physically-strong, rebounder and defender that really protects the rim.”

Kory Holden (G ââ’¬” 6-2 ââ’¬” 180 ââ’¬” Salisbury, Md./J.M. Bennett/Delaware)
** will not be available for competition in 2016-17 season due to NCAA transfer rules
– Transfer from Delaware, where he scored 892 points in two seasons
– Averaged 17.7 points, and 4.2 assists during 2015-16 season, earning Second-Team All-Colonial Athletic Conference honors
– 35 points vs. Boston College on Dec. 19, 2015, marked a career high
– Named to the CAA All-Rookie Team following freshman campaign (2014-15)
– During high school career, earned Bayside Conference Player of the Year honors during his junior and senior seasons
– As a high school senior, averaged 29.7 points and 8.6 assists per game
– ESPN labeled Holden the No. 2 available transfer at the time of his commitment to the Gamecocks

Martin on Holden:
“Kory is a proven collegiate player, who, along with Hassani and Rakym, brings tremendous play-making abilities and a tremendous understanding of how to play.”

Maik-Kalev Kotsar (F ââ’¬” 6-9 – 220 ââ’¬” Estonia/Wichita, Kan./Sunrise Christian Academy)
– Three-star prospect according to 247sports.com
– Was a member of the Estonia U18 National Team that competed at the 2014 FIBA European Championship

Martin on Kotsar:
“Maik is a big, strong, skilled, ultra-competitive young man that will fit in nicely in replacing our departed front-court players, Mindaugas [Kacinas] and Laimonas [Chatkevicius].”