After initially committing to VCU, former Norfolk Star star guard Jamarii Thomas is now headed to Columbia as a South Carolina Gamecock. Wes Mitchell of On3 Sports broke the news of Thomas' surprising switch to the SEC.

“It's always been a dream to play close to home and obviously in the biggest conference of college basketball, which is the SEC,” Thomas told Mitchell on Gamecock Central. “People could say whatever, but SEC is definitely the best basketball conference. It was crazy because we have some family in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Columbia, and Charlotte. It's big for me to play near home in the biggest conference.”

Thomas entered the transfer portal after Norfolk State won the College Insider Tournament. He posted pictures of himself in his new black-and-gold VCU threads, seemingly taken after he visited the university. He chose VCU against offers from Iowa and Oklahoma State, though he hadn't visited South Carolina when he announced his commitment. The proximity to home, coupled with the intense competitive jump from the Atlantic 10 Conference to the SEC, drew Thomas in.

“I had a great visit with my mom and my little brother,” he said. “They were very welcoming. The facilities, athletic trainer, strength coach, and everybody, the academic lady I met, everybody was just so genuine and loving. It felt like home and it made sense for me because I feel like I can play at the highest level and they believe I can too. It was just a combo of things that made sense for me and my family. It felt like a no-brainer.”

The South Carolina Gamecocks have been active during this recruiting cycle. They want to capitalize on the dramatic increase in wins in head coach Lamont Paris' first two years. The Gamecocks went 11-21 in his first year, but they improved to 26-8 this past season. South Carolina ended up extending Paris' contract, giving him more than $26 million through the 2029-30 season, according to the Associated Press.

Alongside Jamarii Thomas, Paris and South Carolina poached a couple of players from their SEC rivals. They brought in Nick Pringle from Alabama and Jordan Butler from Missouri.

“The two transfers they got are really big,” Thomas said. “Pringle and the guy from Missouri, Jordan Butler. They're great transfers. Just letting me know they were coming in and all they were missing was a point guard. They let me know the role I would have, a big role. And, you know, the winning program, man. I just want to be a part of a winning program.”

Paris must have loved what he saw in Thomas' film. He promised the former MEAC Player of the Year a hefty workload for the Gamecocks this season.

“They told me I was going to come in and play a lot,” he said. “They need a leader, a vocal leader, which is what I am. Somebody that plays defense, which is what I do. I love defense. They just want me to play my game. They're going to let me be free – within the system – but they're going to let me be free and let me be me. That's a huge and important piece for me and my family.”