South Carolina basketball’s freshman group more than just GG Jackson

Yes, GG Jackson is the freshman that South Carolina basketball fans will be watching most closely this season.

But the former Ridge View High five-star recruit won’t be the only first-year player who hopes to make an impact in coach Lamont Paris’ first year as USC coach.

Denmark-Olar’s Zachary Davis and Chambers (NC) forward Daniel Hankins-Sanford are the the other members of the Gamecocks’ freshman class. Davis and Hankins-Sanford signed with USC last fall under former coach Frank Martin and remained committed after Paris was named new coach in April.

“I love that freshman group. They are a really good freshman group,” Paris said Wednesday at the team’s on-campus media day. “It is the three stooges or three amigos — I don’t know which one. They are always together. They always have fun. They help keep me young but they are talented, too.”

The trio’s bond started back at a USC camp last summer. Davis remembers being on Jackson’s camp team and defeating a squad that featured Hankins-Sanford. They connected on some unofficial visits and picked up when they arrived on campus this summer.

“Daniel is one of the strongest, most physically advanced freshmen I have been around. He is aggressive and explosive,” Paris said. “Zach has shown the most improvement of anyone on the team. I’m really excited about what he is going to look like in late January. On Nov. 8 (USC’s first game), I don’t know what that means for minutes for him on that day, but I am excited about what January looks like for him.”

Jackson spends plenty of time at Davis’ and Hankins-Sanford’s room, crashing on the couch most nights. Davis and Jackson have their battles playing the “NBA2K” video game.

On the court, Jackson and Hankins-Sanford are going up against each other during practice, with each having his good days against the other.

“Daniel is one of the most intimidating players I have ever played against. Even in practice, sometimes I can’t get by him,” Jackson said. “I tell him before every practice, guard me hard each possession so I can get used to a physical defender.”

Hankins-Sanford said he welcomes the challenge of facing Jackson, who is the highest-ranked recruit in Gamecocks history and projected first-round pick in next year’s 2023 NBA Draft.

“We are making each other better. It is a good relationship,” he said.

Hankins-Sanford is a physical specimen — someone to call if you need a car pushed, Paris said. The 6-foot-8, 233-pound forward averaged 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds for Chambers last season and was fifth-ranked prospect in North Carolina, according to 247Sports.

While Hankins-Sanford is known for his toughness, Davis will be counted on for his ball-handling and scoring ability. The 6-foot-8, 180-pounder averaged 24.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 3.1 steals and 2.6 blocks per game last season and was name Class A Player of the Year.

Davis said there’s been a big learning curve going from a small, rural high school to getting ready for Southeastern Conference play. He’s been more active in the weight room and added pounds to his lanky frame.

“My mindset is to keep working hard,” Davis said. “My teammates here, the older guys keep pushing me and keep raising me up to get better.”