South Carolina Hosted Prospect Chase Smith
The class of 2028 basketball recruit visited the Gamecocks in Columbia this weekend.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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South Carolina basketball coaches hosted high school prospect Chase Smith for an unofficial visit. Smith, a standout player from Charlotte, traveled to Columbia to meet with the program.
Why it matters
The visit marks a significant step in the recruitment process for a highly ranked prospect in the class of 2028. It serves as an opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate his potential fit and potentially extend a scholarship offer.
Chase Smith is ranked as the No. 68 overall player in the class of 2028 and the No. 4 player in North Carolina. The 6-8, 200-pound power forward is also currently recognized as the No. 9 recruit at his position nationally.
The players
Chase Smith
He is a high-profile high school basketball prospect from Queen's Grant Academy in the class of 2028.
South Carolina Gamecocks
This is the collegiate basketball program based in Columbia currently evaluating prospects for future recruiting cycles.
The details
Chase Smith, who attends Queen's Grant Academy in Charlotte, confirmed his travel to Columbia for the visit via social media. The unofficial trip allows the coaching staff to showcase the program to a prospect already drawing significant national attention.
Timeline
Chase Smith visited the South Carolina basketball program in September 2026.
Season Trajectory
The visit aligns with the competitive effort of programs to secure top talent early in the development cycle for the class of 2028. This move helps the team solidify its long-term recruiting board as the coaching staff balances immediate roster needs with future commitments.
This visit provides South Carolina with a direct opportunity to gain an early commitment from a top-70 national recruit. Securing a player of Smith's profile would significantly bolster the program's future frontcourt rotation and overall recruiting standing in the SEC.
The takeaway
Early unofficial visits provide high school athletes and coaches with a low-pressure environment to assess mutual compatibility before the formal signing period. Prospects like Smith use these trips to gauge coaching styles and facilities against other major collegiate programs.
Further reading
For more updates on the program's scouting efforts, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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