Graduate men's basketball forward Nick Pringle faced an important decision following the 2023-2024 season.
That year, Pringle played a key role on an Alabama team that reached the Final Four. He averaged 6.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and just under one block and assist per contest on 62% shooting — leading the team in that metric — over the course of the campaign.
His efforts led to many programs recruiting his skills once he entered the transfer portal. But he ultimately decided to take his talents to South Carolina, where the Seabrook, South Carolina, native is now looking to leave his mark on the Gamecock men's basketball program.
"I've been offered literally up to a million dollars in the transfer portal," Pringle said. "Money wasn't the option for me. I just want to be in the right situation with ... the right group of people."
Pringle caught the eye of college basketball teams across the country through a string of statistics and accolades. During his senior campaign, he averaged 15.2 points and almost 11 rebounds per game, which led to him earning All-State and All-Region honors and receiving offers from NCAA Division I schools.
Pringle stepped out on the court for the Gamecocks for the first time in the team's exhibition game against the College of Wooster. He played a team-high 23 minutes and collected 7 points, four rebounds and two assists, helping the Gamecocks to victory with a 86-60 win.
But the 6-foot-10 forward's collegiate career has not been straightforward as South Carolina is his fourth program.
Pringle committed to Wofford College his freshman year, where he totaled 30 points and 32 rebounds. After one season, he transferred to Dodge City Community College for a chance to grow his game, and he recorded 10 or more rebounds 14 different times during in the 2021-2022 season.
Pringle then became one the most sought-after junior players, being the No. 5 junior college prospect in the country, according to 247Sports.
That led to another transfer to Alabama, where he saw almost immediate action within the program, appearing in 36 total games during the 2022-2023 season. Pringle played an integral part in Alabama's success in the NCAA Tournament in 2024, recording a double-double in the NCAA Tournament vs. Clemson.
In the process, Pringle squared off against players such as UConn center Donovan Clingan and Purdue center Zach Edey, both of whom now play in the NBA. Moments like these have shaped him into becoming a better player night in and night out, he said.
"It really prepares me to know the type of talent that's out there ... and where I need to be as a player," Pringle said. "I know I have to fill a lot of voids. I'm not the biggest ... in the SEC. I'm not the most skilled. But I know how hard I play, and what I bring to my team and the leadership that I bring."
Pringle, who is now a fresh face in South Carolina's men's basketball program, is looking to use his experience to provide veteran leadership to the Gamecocks.
Pringle is one of three incoming transfers joining the team's roster this season. The Gamecocks also added senior guard Jamarii Thomas, the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year from Norfolk State, and sophomore forward Jordan Butler.
But not all the Gamecocks' newcomers have the same level of experience playing NCAA basketball as Pringle does. Highly-touted freshman guard Cam Scott, who was ranked No. 50 nationally, said Pringle's mentorship was felt immediately upon his arrival on campus.
"Nick (Pringle), Jacobi (Wright), Jamarii (Thomas) ... they've just been taking me under their wing, correcting me on the little things that they see, even if it ends in a good result, just things that I can do to tweak and help myself become a little bit better," Scott said.
Pringle said Paris wants him to generate offense by scoring or facilitating plays from the low block. The forward's offseason consisted of improving his offensive game in preparation, he said.
"(Paris) has definitely put me in situations that I've been uncomfortable with," Pringle said. "I had to get out of the passive type (of) game that I had, just with screening, and rolling, and being in the dunker (spot) ... He's been actually putting the ball in my hands and allowing me to go in and score (and) make plays."
Pringle and the South Carolina men's basketball team are set to begin the 2024-2025 regular season with the team's home-opener against North Florida on Monday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. with arena doors opening 1 hour prior at Colonial Life Arena.