Keyshawn Bryant transfer decision: He’ll wrap up college career near hometown

Former South Carolina men’s basketball forward Keyshawn Bryant has landed at a new school.

The Winter Haven, Florida native will return to his home state and play for South Florida, Bryant announced Friday on social media. Winter Haven is about an hour from the USF campus.

After the firing of 10-year coach Frank Martin, Bryant initially declared for the NBA draft but reversed course weeks later and entered the transfer portal after discussions with his family.

Bryant was a key player on Martin’s teams, making 72 starts in his Gamecocks career. He had a career-best season during USC’s difficult 6-15 year during the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, averaging 14.4 points per game.

Bryant took a step back his senior year, suspended in the team’s first five games due to a violation of athletic department policy. The 6-foot-6 Bryant averaged 8.7 points and 4 rebounds per game for the Gamecocks last season.

Viewed as somewhat of a project player upon arriving in Columbia, Bryant’s athleticism has never been in question, as he usually produces one or two highlight-reel dunks per game, but he developed as a more well-rounded player in recent seasons. Now he’ll have the opportunity to finish off his college career close to friends and family.

USC men’s basketball roster moves

Additions

Troy Boynton (April 16) — Evansville

Hayden Brown (April 23) — The Citadel

Meechie Johnson (April 25) — Ohio State

Ebrima Dibba (April 27) — Coastal Carolina

Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (May 11) — Illinois

Transfers out (listed with new college where applicable)

Brandon Martin (April 27)

Keyshawn Bryant (April 22) — South Florida

Mike Green (March 28) — The Citadel

Devin Carter (March 28) — Providence

Wildens Leveque (March 27) — Massachusetts

Ta’Quan Woodley (March 26) — Massachusetts

Jermaine Couisnard (March 25) — Oregon

Erik Stevenson (March 24) — West Virginia