South Carolina Gamecocks Decline Invitation To NIT After Missing Out on March Madness

Brooks Austin | Mar 16, 2025

Mar 12, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris talks with guard Jacobi Wright (1) during a break in action during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The South Carolina Gamecocks basketball season didn't go as most expected it to go. The Gamecocks won just two conference games in an SEC conference that featured (14) of it's (16) member schools in the final March Madness brackets.

The Gamecocks were invited to be particpants in the NIT Tournament, however, according to a statement released by head coach Lamont Paris, the Gamecocks will be declining the invitation.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for the NIT and the exciting opportunity it provides good teams to continue playing for a championship. Unfortunately, due to some attrition on our roster with injuries we decided it was best not to participate this year.
This year we competed in one of the best conferences in college basketball history! While we did not reach our goal of making the NGAA Tournament I am, however, extremely proud of the effort and determination our guys played with all season.
Much sincere thanks to our dedicated fanbase for its outstanding support of our guys. We will build on that and start our work immediately as we look to make a return to the NCAA Tournament in 2026.

You Might Also Like:

• Former Gamecock Ernest Jones IV Remains in Seattle on New Multi-Year Deal
• Top 2026 Recruit Carter Meadows Schedules Visit with South Carolina Gamecocks
• South Carolina Gamecocks Predicted to Repeat as National Champions

Join the community:

• Follow Fisher Brewer on Twitter: @USCTalk
• Follow Alex Joyce on Twitter: @AlexJoyceSI
• Follow Matthew Peavy on Twitter: @TheMattPeavy
• Follow Isaiah Collins on Twitter: @IsaiahCEC
• Follow Joseph Griffin on Twitter: @JosephGriffinJG
• Follow Luke Brumm on Twitter: @lukebrummcfb
• Follow USCTalk on YouTube for more video-based content: USCTalk YouTube

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!