USC landed its first basketball commitment for the 2020 class on Tuesday when 6-10, 235 pound power forward Patrick Iriel of AC Flora in Columbia announced a commitment to Frank Martin. Iriel is a player who saw his stock start to rise in his junior season and continue to grow in the spring and summer. He said the Gamecocks offered him about two weeks ago and that made his decision simple.

“They’ve been with me since the 9th grade and I’ve been impressed with them,” Iriel said. “Our relationship started to pick up in my junior year and this summer I started talking with Frank a lot. It just really felt right, it’s right at home and I was just really excited about the opportunity and I wanted to take it.”

Iriel will give the Gamecocks a big body inside, but he has the skills to play away from the basket as well.

“I just think coach Martin’s coaching will really help me get to my goals and give me the best opportunity to be the best player I can be,” Iriel said. “They just want to use my athleticism, just going after every rebound, rim protection and being versatile on offense and stretching out the floor.”

Last season Iriel averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game.

He also had offers from Southern Cal, Wofford, Georgia Tech and Cincinnati.