South Carolina basketball signs 5 transfer portal players. Here’s what to know
South Carolina men’s basketball announced Wednesday the signings of five players from the transfer portal as coach Lamont Paris reshapes his roster. The Gamecocks added forwards Aleksas Bieliauskas, Camden Heide and Jakub Necas along with guards Shane Blakeney and Kory Mincy.
Their additions bring Paris’ in-progress roster for 2026-27 to nine players.
Here are key takeaways, with quotes from Paris provided by a university press release:
• Aleksas Bieliauskas, a 6-foot-10 center from Wisconsin, started 28 games last season and shot 35.4% from 3-point range. “Aleksas is a very skilled player with real size and physicality, that can also open games up quickly with his ability to make shots from the 3-point line,” Paris said. “I believe there is tremendous growth potential for Aleksas, and can’t wait to see how he responds to his role here in Columbia.”
• Shane Blakeney, a Rock Hill native and Drexel guard, averaged a career-high 14.2 points last season. “Shane is a player that has just continued to get better every single year and has blossomed into a complete player,” Paris said. “He has turned into a really good 3-point shooter that rebounds exceptionally well for his position and has a real desire and ability to be an elite perimeter defender.”
• Camden Heide, a 6-foot-7 forward from Texas, shot 45.4% from 3-point range last season and brings NCAA Tournament experience. “Cam is an elite 3-point shooter. He is big enough and physical enough to play the power forward position, yet versatile enough and skilled enough to play some small forward as well,” Paris said. “... It’s hard to quantify what his 13 games of NCAA Tournament experience will bring to our locker room.”
• Kory Mincy, a 6-foot-2 guard from George Mason, averaged 14.3 points last season and was a second team Atlantic 10 selection. Paris said: “He can shoot the ball from behind the arc, attack and create for others, as well as get to the free throw line. He is an extremely competitive player, which we witnessed first-hand a couple years ago, that has potential to be an outstanding on-the-ball defender as well.”
• Jakub Necas, a 6-foot-10 forward from Duquesne, averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. “He has potential to be one of our more versatile bigs on the offensive end,” Paris said. “He can shoot the ball from the 3-point line and has developed into a guy that is comfortable with his back to the basket in certain matchups.”
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 4:26 PM with the headline "South Carolina basketball signs 5 transfer portal players. Here’s what to know."
