Q&A with Gamecocks' Eli Ellis: Reflecting on Season, Future

Freshman guard discusses his first year at South Carolina after season-ending loss to Oklahoma

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:49pm

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South Carolina men's basketball freshman Eli Ellis spoke with reporters following the Gamecocks' 86-74 loss to Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament first round. Ellis, who averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this season, reflected on his debut campaign and looked ahead to his future with the program.

Why it matters

As one of South Carolina's top recruits, Ellis' development is crucial to the Gamecocks' long-term success. His performance and outlook provide insight into the state of the program and its trajectory under head coach Lamont Paris.

The details

In the locker room after the loss, Ellis discussed his season, which saw him start 26 of 32 games for the Gamecocks. He scored 7 points on 3-of-7 shooting with 4 rebounds in the tournament defeat. Ellis acknowledged that the season had its ups and downs, but expressed optimism about the future of the program under second-year coach Lamont Paris.

  • The Gamecocks' season ended on March 11, 2026 with the loss to Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament.

The players

Eli Ellis

A freshman guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team.

Lamont Paris

The second-year head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“The season had its ups and downs, but I'm excited about the future of this program under Coach Paris.”

— Eli Ellis, Freshman Guard (TheBigSpur.com)

The takeaway

As a highly touted recruit, Eli Ellis' development will be crucial for the Gamecocks as they look to rebuild under second-year head coach Lamont Paris. Despite the team's struggles this season, Ellis' positive outlook suggests the program is headed in the right direction.