Junior guard Jermaine Couisnard became the second player to enter the transfer portal since the departure of former head coach Frank Martin, Gamecock Athletics confirmed.
"This departure is bittersweet, because not only did I chose to attend the University of South Carolina, but most importantly I chose to play basketball for Coach Frank Martin," Couisnard said in a Twitter post to announce his decision.
Couisnard’s decision to enter the transfer portal does not guarantee he will leave the program, but he has the ability to weigh his options. However, in his statement, he said his time as a player at South Carolina has "come to an end."
Couisnard started his collegiate career at South Carolina under Martin during the 2019-2020 season. Couisnard declared for the NBA draft following the end of last season but later returned to South Carolina for his junior season.
After seeing his numbers drop his sophomore season, Couisnard had a bounce-back season for the Gamecocks this year. His scoring average went from 10 points per game to 12, his shooting percentages increased and his assist numbers remained the same, despite fewer minutes per game in 2022.
Couisnard was a factor in the team’s success. His biggest performance of the season came in a 77-75 victory over LSU. He scored a career-high 33 points, dished out three assists and captured three steals.
He joins senior guard Erik Stevenson as the only confirmed Gamecocks in the portal. If both decide to leave, the team will have large holes to fill at the guard position, especially with the departure of graduate guard James Reese V, who exhausted his eligibility.