Release from USC
Senior guard Jamarii Thomas is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a right knee sprain sustained in practice the team announced on Friday night.
A transfer from Norfolk State and the reigning MEAC Player of the Year, Thomas was averaging 12.3 points (second on the team), 3.3 assists (team leader), 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals (team leader) per game for South Carolina.
He has started all 15 games and scored in double figures 11 times for the Gamecocks so far this season. Thomas had a season-high 22 points in the team’s win over East Carolina back on Dec. 7.
The Greensboro, N.C., native, has played in 108 games total in four seasons of college basketball, averaging 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
The Gamecocks will also be without starting guard Myles Stute Saturday. He was ruled out for an indefinite period earlier in the week due to blood clots.
The Gamecocks face No. 2/2 Auburn tomorrow at home in what will be the team’s third-straight game against a top-25 opponent to start SEC play. Tip is set for 1 p.m. (ET) with Colonial Life Arena doors opening at noon.