South Carolina Gamecocks Aggressively Target 5-Star Basketball Phenom, Younger Brother of Arkansas Football Star Rocket Sanders
The South Carolina Gamecocks are making major waves on the hardwood with their aggressive pursuit of one of the top basketball prospects in the nation—a dynamic five-star guard who also happens to have a well-known name in SEC football circles. The recruit in question? Elijah “EJ” Sanders, the younger brother of Arkansas Razorbacks football standout Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. While his older brother has made a name as one of the SEC’s most explosive running backs, EJ is carving out his own legacy as one of the top basketball players in the 2026 class, and South Carolina is going all-in to land him.
EJ Sanders, a 6-foot-5 combo guard out of IMG Academy in Florida, is already being touted as one of the most polished scorers in the high school ranks. With an elite combination of size, ball-handling, shooting range, and court vision, Sanders has dominated the Nike EYBL circuit and drawn comparisons to some of the most versatile NBA guards of the last decade. His poise under pressure and high basketball IQ have made him a target for blue-blood programs across the country.
But amid the attention from traditional basketball powerhouses like Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas, South Carolina has positioned itself as a serious contender. Head coach Lamont Paris and his staff have made Sanders a priority, leveraging a growing reputation, proximity to home, and a carefully crafted vision of how EJ would fit into their system.
The Gamecocks’ pursuit of Sanders has been strategic and relentless. Assistant coaches have been a constant presence at his games and workouts. Sanders has already visited Columbia unofficially twice, and sources close to the family say the Gamecocks made a huge impression on both EJ and his parents. The staff has emphasized not just playing time, but personal development, mental growth, and life after basketball—something that matters greatly to the Sanders family.
South Carolina’s rising profile under Coach Paris is helping in a major way. After a surprising 2024 season that saw the Gamecocks climb back into NCAA Tournament contention, the buzz around the program is real. Paris has brought a disciplined, defensive-minded identity to the team while giving talented guards freedom to operate and flourish in space. That system is appealing to Sanders, who thrives in pick-and-roll actions and open-floor opportunities. The staff has shown him exactly how he would be used—often comparing his potential role to that of NBA guards like Tyrese Maxey or Jrue Holiday.
What makes the pursuit even more intriguing is the SEC crossover. Rocket Sanders has been a household name in college football for several years, earning All-SEC honors and becoming one of the most feared running backs in the league. His success has put the family in the spotlight, and EJ has often spoken about how much he’s learned from his brother’s journey—especially when it comes to handling pressure, staying grounded, and working relentlessly.
Interestingly, Rocket has reportedly been involved in helping his younger brother navigate the recruiting process. Though Rocket attends Arkansas, there’s no indication that he’s pushing EJ in any particular direction. In fact, many close to the situation believe Rocket wants his brother to blaze his own trail—just as he did in football.
That said, South Carolina has used the family connection wisely. The Gamecocks have highlighted their SEC pedigree, their growing brand across all sports, and the family-oriented culture being built not only in football under Shane Beamer but in basketball under Paris. There’s a strong feeling that the Sanders family sees Columbia as a place that checks a lot of boxes: competitive program, excellent coaching, strong academics, and a supportive community.
EJ Sanders is not the kind of recruit who gets swayed by flash alone. Known for his quiet confidence and focus, Sanders has taken a deliberate approach to his recruitment. While he hasn’t named a top five publicly, insiders say South Carolina, Alabama, Baylor, and Florida State are among the programs in regular contact. Kansas and Kentucky are expected to push hard late in the process, but South Carolina’s early groundwork has given them a chance to stay in the race to the end.
From a basketball standpoint, Sanders would be a massive addition to South Carolina’s future backcourt. His ability to play both guard spots would give Paris the flexibility to pair him with other creators and space the floor with shooters. His length and strength make him a potential lockdown defender, and his offensive versatility means he can score in transition, in isolation, and within structured sets. Simply put, he’s a program-changing player.
The staff knows this and is recruiting him accordingly. In addition to campus visits, South Carolina has engaged in virtual film sessions with Sanders, showing how previous guards have thrived in their system and how Sanders could become a one-and-done talent if he continues his upward trajectory. The opportunity to be the face of a resurgent SEC program—not just another piece in a crowded blue-blood rotation—is appealing to Sanders, who wants to play early and lead.
The momentum around Sanders’ recruitment also reflects South Carolina’s broader recruiting success in recent months. The Gamecocks have begun to land top-100 level prospects more consistently and are seen as a program on the rise. With state-of-the-art facilities, a loyal fan base, and a commitment to basketball growth, Columbia is becoming a legitimate destination for top-tier talent.
Still, the competition remains fierce. Alabama and Florida State have emphasized their own recent guard development and NIL potential, while Kansas and Kentucky offer unmatched tradition. But South Carolina has something those programs can’t quite replicate: a tailored pitch, a focused plan, and the opportunity to be the star attraction in a program poised for a breakthrough.
As the 2025 recruiting cycle heats up, the spotlight on EJ Sanders will only grow. He’s expected to take official visits this fall, and a decision could come sometime after his senior season begins. For now, the Gamecocks remain right in the thick of the race—well-positioned thanks to early effort, a clear developmental plan, and a strong connection with the Sanders family.
The outcome of this recruitment could be a defining moment for Lamont Paris’ tenure at South Carolina. Landing a player of Sanders’ caliber would send a message to the rest of the SEC—and the country—that the Gamecocks are not just rebuilding. They’re building something real, and elite talent is beginning to notice.
If South Carolina can seal the deal, they won’t just be adding a five-star talent. They’ll be bringing in a leader, a worker, and a player with the potential to put the program on a national stage. And for a fanbase hungry for a return to basketball prominence, the pursuit of EJ Sanders might be the most exciting storyline of the year.
