BREAKING: Top 2 Most Wanted SEC Point Guard Flips Commitment to South Carolina over Florida State, Ole Miss, Texas Longhorns
BREAKING: Top 2 Most Wanted SEC Point Guard Flips Commitment to South Carolina over Florida State, Ole Miss, Texas Longhorns
Columbia, S.C. — May 8, 2025
In a stunning recruiting development that has sent shockwaves throughout the college basketball world, one of the most coveted point guards in the Class of 2025, Jaylen “J-Bo” Carter, has officially flipped his commitment to the University of South Carolina, choosing the Gamecocks over Florida State, Ole Miss, and Texas.
Carter, a 6-foot-3 dynamic floor general from Atlanta, Georgia, had previously committed to Florida State in early March, but after a series of recent campus visits and behind-the-scenes coaching conversations, he announced Wednesday morning via his social media channels that he would be staying in SEC territory with head coach Lamont Paris and the surging South Carolina program.
“I want to thank Coach [Leonard] Hamilton and the Florida State staff for believing in me,” Carter wrote in a statement. “But after long talks with my family and my inner circle, I know that Columbia is where I belong. I’m all in. #SpursUp.”
A Major Shake-Up in the SEC
Carter’s decision marks a significant win for South Carolina, which is coming off a promising 2024-25 campaign that saw the Gamecocks reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nearly a decade. The addition of Carter — a player ranked No. 2 among all SEC-targeted point guards by 247Sports and a consensus top-25 national prospect — signals a new era of confidence and firepower for the Gamecocks.
“He’s a game-changer,” one SEC scout told reporters. “Jaylen Carter is the kind of player who makes everyone on the floor better. He has elite court vision, a scorer’s mindset, and he defends with intensity. South Carolina just landed a future star.”
A Surprise Flip with Major Implications
Carter’s recruitment has been one of the most closely watched among this year’s elite backcourt prospects. Florida State’s early commitment was seen as a significant victory for the ACC program, especially given the strong interest Carter was receiving from SEC powerhouses like Ole Miss and Texas (who joins the SEC this fall). However, Carter’s official visit to Columbia two weeks ago reportedly changed everything.
Insiders say that a late recruiting push from Lamont Paris and assistant coach Tim Buckley, combined with the opportunity to be “the face of the program,” helped tip the scales.
“They made me feel like I could build something special here,” Carter told 247Sports shortly after his announcement. “Coach Paris has a vision, and I want to be the one to bring that vision to life.”
Ripple Effect Across the SEC Landscape
Carter’s decision could have ripple effects across several programs. Florida State is now back to the drawing board in search of a lead guard, while Ole Miss and Texas — both considered finalists — may redirect their focus to other high-profile recruits like Tyrone Samuels (No. 4 PG in the class) and Jalen Ricks.
Meanwhile, South Carolina fans are buzzing with excitement, hailing the flip as one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history.
“This is the kind of moment that changes everything,” one fan posted on a Gamecocks message board. “We just got a top-25 player who turned down blue bloods and big names to wear garnet and black. Let’s ride.”
Looking Ahead
Jaylen Carter is expected to join South Carolina’s 2025 signing class alongside four-star shooting guard Malcolm Hayes and 6’10” power forward Isaiah Griggs, giving the Gamecocks one of the most well-rounded recruiting hauls in the SEC.
With Carter at the helm, the Gamecocks now boast a high-octane backcourt capable of making serious noise in the conference — and possibly even nationally.
As the college basketball offseason heats up, one thing is clear: South Carolina just made a bold statement, and the rest of the SEC better take notice.
