DONE DEAL: No. 1 Player in America Commits to South Carolina Over Kentucky, Duke and LSU due to…….

In a seismic shift on the recruiting trail, the No. 1 high school basketball player in America has officially committed to the University of South Carolina, stunning fans and analysts alike by choosing the Gamecocks over powerhouse programs like Kentucky, Duke, and LSU.

Jaylen Cross, the 6-foot-8 phenom out of Oak Ridge Academy in Florida, made the announcement Friday evening in front of a packed gymnasium, donning a garnet and black hat to signal his decision. The top-ranked small forward in the 2025 class, Cross has been a highlight-reel fixture for the past two years and was widely considered a lock for either Kentucky or Duke — until South Carolina came storming into contention over the last few months.

“This wasn’t just about basketball,” Cross said during his commitment ceremony. “It was about where I felt most at home. Coach Paris and the whole South Carolina staff made me feel like I was already part of the family. They believe in me, and I believe in what they’re building.”

The commitment is a monumental win for South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris, who’s been steadily elevating the program’s national profile since taking over. With the addition of Cross, the Gamecocks now boast their first No. 1 overall recruit in school history and arguably their most important signing ever.

Cross’s game is built around athleticism, versatility, and a high basketball IQ. He’s equally dangerous slashing to the rim as he is pulling up from deep. At Oak Ridge, he averaged 26.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game during his junior season, showcasing his all-around impact on both ends of the floor.

“He’s got pro tools right now,” one scout from ESPN said. “And the scary thing is, he’s still getting better. South Carolina just landed a future NBA lottery pick.”

Cross’s decision to turn down Kentucky and Duke — programs with long-standing traditions of producing NBA talent — speaks volumes about the changing landscape in college basketball. With NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities leveling the playing field, programs like South Carolina are now legitimate threats to the traditional blue bloods.

LSU, which had been making a late push and reportedly offered one of the most lucrative NIL packages, was also in the running until the final hours. But in the end, the culture, relationships, and long-term vision at South Carolina prevailed.

Now, Gamecock fans have every reason to dream big. With Cross leading what is already shaping up to be a top-5 recruiting class, South Carolina could be poised for its deepest NCAA Tournament run since the Final Four berth in 2017.

“This is just the beginning,” Cross said. “We’re about to change the game in Columbia.”

And with that, a new era may very well be underway for South Carolina basketball.

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