A Homecoming for Several New Gamecocks

From Spurs & Feathers

“Welcome Home” has been heard a lot around campus in the last several months, and it certainly applies to South Carolina men’s basketball. Among nine newcomers on the roster this season, there are three Gamecock transfers for which the opportunity to wear the Garnet and Black is truly a homecoming.

(Brandon Martin)

“This is the dream school for me,” said graduate transfer James Reese, who grew up in nearby Eastover, S.C., and attended A.C. Flora High School in Columbia. His college journey took him to Buffalo, Odessa College, and North Texas before finding his home back at South Carolina. “I have a real strong relationship with Coach (Frank) Martin. He’s a guy who just tells you the truth. Growing up and watching the teams here, I always fantasized about being in that position one day.”

“Playing for my dad is something new, but I’m enjoying it,” said senior Brandon Martin, Coach Martin’s son, who graduated from Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia and played three seasons at USC Upstate before coming home. “He’s not harder on me. He treats me just like everybody else, and I don’t feel any pressure. Not too many people get to play for their dads, and I’ve always wanted to. He never coached me growing up. He always let my coach at the time coach me, and I respect that. Now, I just go out and play my hardest and listen to what he says.”

“I’ve learned a lot about basketball over the last two years, and I felt like this was the best place to be to finish out my college career,” said junior Chico Carter, a Columbia native who also graduated from Cardinal Newman and then played two seasons at Murray State. “The culture here is really family-oriented. I’m really enjoying my time here. Coach Frank recruited me before, and I played on the same high school team with Brandon, so we had a bond. Coach is a teacher, and he really wants you to learn. He really cares for his players and his staff.”

Some of the guys have enjoyed bringing home cooked meals to their teammates or showing them their favorite “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants, which adds to that family atmosphere. They’re also excited about what they can offer to the team on the floor.

“This is our hometown. It means everything to me.”
– James Reese

“I just want to play hard and be a good rebounder,” Martin said. “I want to be a motivating guy. I spend countless hours in the gym, just shooting. I think I have a tough mentality, and I want to keep getting better and work on my weaknesses.”

(James Reese)

“I’m just trying to be a sponge and keep learning,” Carter said. “I can be a high-level shooter and a good decision-maker. I’m a team player, and I want to take on a leadership role. That’s really important. I just want to lock in on Coach Martin’s defensive principles.”  

“I think I can provide some leadership for the younger guys because I’ve been in their position,” Reese said. “I think I’m a relentless defender, and I never get tired. I’ve been in college for a few years, so I understand a lot about the game, so that experience is important.”

As the season approaches, each is excited about playing on their home court at Colonial Life Arena in front of their hometown fans.

“It’s going to be great to see my family and my close friends in the stands,” Carter said.

“I’m looking forward to winning,” Martin said. “It’s funny because my freshman year at USC Upstate, we played South Carolina here. Now I’ll be on the other side for our first game against Upstate. I want to see us win. I want to see us win an SEC Championship and play in the NCAA Tournament.”

“It gives you confidence knowing you’ve got people at the game cheering for you, and want you to do well,” Reese said. “This is our hometown. It means everything to me. It means everything to come back and play at home because my family can come and see me for the first time. I want to create some history this year.”