What to expect from new Gamecock, incoming transfer Hayden Brown
With eight players transferring away this offseason, new head coach Lamont Paris and his South Carolina men’s basketball staff are almost building a team from scratch.
Paris and his staff have so far reeled in four transfers, and they remain on the hunt for shooters and big men. With such a young roster, adding experience is a priority, and experience is exactly what The Citadel transfer Hayden Brown will bring.
The 6-foot-5 forward committed to the Gamecocks on April 23 after wrapping up a sterling career in the Southern Conference. Brown led the SoCon in rebounding this past season, and he holds The Citadel record for career double-doubles with 28. He is one of three players in school history with more than 1,400 career points and 700 career rebounds.
Brown is an in-state product, who starred at Byrnes High and helped the Rebels to their first state title in 26 years when they beat Irmo 57-50 for the 2016 Class 4A championship. Brown scored 25 points and had 10 rebounds in the title game
He also has familiarity with Paris and his coaching staff from crossing paths with SoCon foe Chattanooga, where Paris coached for the last five years.
Paris’ assistant coaches — Tanner Bronson, Eddie Shannon and Tim Buckley — each offered scouting reports on the team’s incoming transfers and how they view their roles on the team. Bronson and Shannon both coached under Paris with the Mocs and have faced the 6-foot-5 forward Brown multiple times. Here’s what they had to say about Brown.
Scouting reports on Hayden Brown
Bronson: “I think we played him 10 times at Chattanooga. Just a really, really explosive, competitive, downhill guy. He really puts a lot of pressure on the defense, creates a lot of fouls. Capable 3-point shooter, but he’s so physical and he gets into your body. Good rebounder. If you play him one-on-one, it’s gonna be a tough go of it. He’s gonna put a lot of pressure on you. He’s got a variety of moves, can handle the ball, take the ball off the rim and dribble it up at times. So I think his ability to score and rebound are really good.
“And he’s a competitive guy. That’s a guy that also has his Master’s degree — in leadership. So I think that that part of it is pretty exciting. He’s an older guy. He wants to be part of it. He wants to be a leader, and he’ll do that well for us.”
Shannon: “Hayden is a big-time competitor. Think about the guy — he’s 6-foot-5, and two years in a row he led the SoCon in rebounding. I think he was second or third in scoring this year, but the year before he led it in scoring. So he knows how to put the ball in the basket. He’s an ultimate competitor, and he’s an elite rebounder.”
Buckley: “I think the big plus for us is our staff’s familiarity with him in playing against him in the SoCon and knowing what he can do and do well and getting him to do that. I think character — everyone will tell you is a huge thing. And he definitely has (character) in spades. And so getting him in that locker room, and not only doing what he does well, but also teaching it to maybe younger guys and newer guys, and he has a little bit of a familiarity with Chattanooga’s style of play and how coach will want to play. So I would say that that is very good.
“I also think that he’s a guy that can produce at this level, which is important. And I think rebounding translates to any level. He’s very good at that. And then the ability to play inside, outside and be a versatile type offensive player.”
USC men’s basketball roster moves
Additions
Troy Boynton (April 16) — Evansville
Hayden Brown (April 23) — The Citadel
Meechie Johnson (April 25) — Ohio State
Ebrima Dibba (April 27) — Coastal Carolina
Transfers out (listed with new college where applicable)
Brandon Martin (April 27)
Keyshawn Bryant (April 22)
Mike Green (March 28)
Devin Carter (March 28) — Providence
Wildens Leveque (March 27) — Massachusetts
Ta’Quan Woodley (March 26) — Massachusetts
Jermaine Couisnard (March 25) — Oregon
Erik Stevenson (March 24) — West Virginia
This story was originally published May 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What to expect from new Gamecock, incoming transfer Hayden Brown."
