Columbia’s Latest Backcourt Boost: Shane Blakeney Joins Gamecocks
South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris has secured transfer guard Shane Blakeney from Drexel’s program. The 6-foot-5 guard, who broke out in his junior season, averaged 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 41.6% overall and 35.9% from three. Originally a standout at Legion Collegiate Academy in Rock Hill, SC—where he topped 1,000 career points—Blakeney spent two seasons as a redshirt and bench contributor at Drexel before becoming a full-time starter in 2025-26. His performance earned him second-team All-CAA honors. He becomes the Gamecocks’ fourth portal addition this cycle, joining Camden Heide, George Mason guard Kory Mincy, and Wisconsin forward Aleksas Bieliauskas, as the April 21 transfer window deadline looms.
Looks like South Carolina’s transfer shopping spree is in full swing—move over clearance racks, there’s a portal sale on! Coach Paris is treating the portal like a buffet, piling his plate high with talent. Poor Heide, Mincy, and Bieliauskas might have to fight over who gets the first dibs on the bench. And let’s not forget Blakeney’s grand entrance: hope he remembers where he parked his luggage on the way to Columbia. At this rate, Gamecock fans will need a flowchart just to keep track of who’s wearing garnet next season. Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy, yet snack-filled, ride in SEC land.
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