The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: South Carolina men's basketball beats SC State in season opener

The South Carolina men's basketball team started out their season with a 80-77 win against the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Nov. 8, 2022. The win is Lamont Paris' first as the head coach of the Gamecocks. Graduate student Hayden Brown and freshman forward GG Jackson helped catapult South Carolina to the season opening win.  


Photos by: Sam Schorr

Graduate student forward Hayden Brown (on left) makes a challenge against S.C. State to get the lay-up for his team. This second-half score helped give the Gamecocks a close win over the Bulldog’s on Nov. 8, 2022.
Graduate student forward Hayden Brown (on left) makes a challenge against S.C. State to get the lay-up for his team. This second-half score helped give the Gamecocks a close win over the Bulldog’s on Nov. 8, 2022.
Freshman forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II prepares his handshake when teammate Hayden Brown comes out for introductions. The Gamecocks defeated S.C. State 80-77 in their season opener on Nov. 8, 2022.
Freshman forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II prepares his handshake when teammate Hayden Brown comes out for introductions. The Gamecocks defeated S.C. State 80-77 in their season opener on Nov. 8, 2022.
Freshman forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II radiates energy to his teammates during the Gamecocks introduction. The team kicked off their 2022-2023 season with an 80-77 win over the S.C. State Bulldogs with an 80-77 win on Nov. 8, 2022.
Freshman forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II radiates energy to his teammates during the Gamecocks introduction. The team kicked off their 2022-2023 season with an 80-77 win over the S.C. State Bulldogs with an 80-77 win on Nov. 8, 2022.
Junior guard Meechie Johnson explodes down the court and past S.C. State players during a breakaway. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 80-77 in their season opener on Nov. 8, 2022.
Junior guard Meechie Johnson explodes down the court and past S.C. State players during a breakaway. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 80-77 in their season opener on Nov. 8, 2022.
Freshman forward Daniel Hankins-Sanford calibrates his shot at the free-point line. Hankins-Sanford made both shots to get the Gamecocks two points against the S.C. State Bulldogs on Nov. 8, 2022.
Freshman forward Daniel Hankins-Sanford calibrates his shot at the free-point line. Hankins-Sanford made both shots to get the Gamecocks two points against the S.C. State Bulldogs on Nov. 8, 2022.
Freshman forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II takes a shot after finding a clearing against the Bulldogs on Nov. 8, 2022. Jackson finished the game with 18 points. 
Freshman forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II takes a shot after finding a clearing against the Bulldogs on Nov. 8, 2022. Jackson finished the game with 18 points. 
Freshman guard Eli Sparkman puts on a show for the Gamecock student section as he breaks through SC State’s defense. Sparkman was a three-year starter for Baylor High School and was part of the D2-AA East All-Region team.
Freshman guard Eli Sparkman puts on a show for the Gamecock student section as he breaks through SC State’s defense. Sparkman was a three-year starter for Baylor High School and was part of the D2-AA East All-Region team.
South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris provides feedback to his team during the second half of the men’s basketball season opener. The team defeated the S.C State Bulldogs 80-77 in Paris' first game as head coach.
South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris provides feedback to his team during the second half of the men’s basketball season opener. The team defeated the S.C State Bulldogs 80-77 in Paris' first game as head coach.
The South Carolina student section and fellow fans are caught in awe as a ball flies through the air towards the basket. The Gamecock’s season opener resulted in them defeating S.C. State 80-77 on Nov. 8, 2022.
The South Carolina student section and fellow fans are caught in awe as a ball flies through the air towards the basket. The Gamecock’s season opener resulted in them defeating S.C. State 80-77 on Nov. 8, 2022.
The men’s basketball team and Cocky offer a toast during the playing of South Carolina's alma mater after the Gamecocks victory over S.C. State. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 80-77 on Nov. 8, 2022.
The men’s basketball team and Cocky offer a toast during the playing of South Carolina's alma mater after the Gamecocks victory over S.C. State. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 80-77 on Nov. 8, 2022.