The University of South Carolina is moving on from men’s head basketball coach Frank Martin according to a report on Monday and it could have severe ramifications for a top UNC basketball recruiting target.
Jeff Borzello reported the news on Monday afternoon after the Gamecocks finished the season 18-13 overall and 9-9 in SEC play, missing the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight season not counting the 2020 canceled tournament. After making that run in 2017, Martin has struggled which led to the decision.
And now it could impact five-star recruit G.G. Jackson’s decision.
South Carolina is parting ways with Frank Martin, sources confirmed to ESPN. First by @JonRothstein. Martin had been with the Gamecocks for 10 seasons and went to the Final Four in 2017. That was his only NCAA tournament appearance during his time in Columbia. Was 18-13 this year
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 14, 2022
The in-state prospect is mulling his decision and all signs point to it being a three-team race between North Carolina, South Carolina, and Duke. The Tar Heels were the perceived leaders in the recruitment at one point but since he took visits to both Duke and South Carolina, both teams made up ground.
However, the dismissal of Martin is likely going to change things and until they have a replacement intact, this could be a Blue Blood battle down the wire.
Jackson’s father maintains he’s still not close to a decision and they very well could wait for a South Carolina hire. Or it could eliminate them from the race and things start to pick up. It should be an interesting next few months either way.
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