Source: Lamont Paris returning to South Carolina next season

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Lamont Paris will remain the head coach for South Carolina men’s basketball next season.

A source confirmed to WIS that Paris will return for his fifth season at the helm.

The Gamecocks have gone 62-67 under Paris, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in the 2023-24 season. In the two seasons since, however, South Carolina has gone 12-20 and 13-18, respectively.

Paris’s tenure has also included a 23-49 record against the SEC as of Tuesday.

University of South Carolina Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati released a statement Tuesday in support of Paris, saying he understands the frustration fans are feeling but believes Paris can win at the school.

“I understand the frustration and disappointment following the results of the past two seasons. Coach Paris can win here and he has proven it,” Donati said in a statement. “He led this program to an NCAA Tournament appearance in just his second season at South Carolina and was named 2024 SEC Coach of the Year... He has proven he can win throughout his coaching career.”

Donati’s full statement is below.

“Gamecock Nation deserves a winning Men’s Basketball program. I understand the frustration and disappointment following the results of the past two seasons. Coach Paris can win here and he has proven it. He led this program to an NCAA Tournament appearance in just his second season at South Carolina and was named 2024 SEC Coach of the Year after tying a single-season program record with 26 wins. He has proven he can win throughout his coaching career.

Our goal is to build a men’s basketball program at South Carolina that is consistently competitive in the SEC and nationally. To reach our goals, it will require an increased level of investment across the program that matches these expectations. We are committed to making these critical investments. Additionally, it requires an ongoing assessment and evaluation to ensure we are moving forward and making the necessary improvements. Alongside these investments it is my expectation that we will see significant improvements in the short term.

I want to assure our fans and constituents that we will put in the work to make this a program you are proud of year in and year out. It is a rapidly changing collegiate athletics landscape, but we welcome that challenge and opportunity."

The Gamecocks will face Oklahoma on Wednesday in the first round of the SEC Tournament in Nashville. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The game will also be televised on the SEC Network.

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