By SAM LANCE
Class of 2025 three-star South Carolina commit Hayden Assemian has set his official visit to the Gamecocks for Oct. 4, per On3.
Assemian — the 6-foot-8, 220-pound power forward from Moravian Prep (NC) and the Team Thad Nike EYBL AAU program — has been a longstanding commit for head coach Lamont Paris. He chose the Gamecocks back in September 2023.
“That’s family,” Assemian said of Paris at Peach Jam in July. “It’s all family over here. They started talking to me a couple years ago. Just starting that relationship. And I’ve seen them a lot coming to our live periods. Came to Peach Jam, came to a couple games. The relationship with him has been big. He’s a great coach, knows exactly what he’s talking about. I wouldn’t play for any other coach.”
Assemian grew up in South Carolina and sided with the Gamecocks in the state rivalry with Clemson as a kid.
“I always liked South Carolina,” Assemian said. “I like the downtown area. I like the school. I just feel like South Carolina has always been No. 1 for me.”
Assemian will be on campus when South Carolina plays No. 6-ranked Ole Miss at home in football. He was eyeing that date long before it was set. He enjoys college football and plays a South Carolina dynasty in EA College Football 25.
“I got to build them up to the No. 1 team in the country,” Assemian said.
When Assemian is officially a Gamecock for the 2025-26 season, he is looking forward to being with the guys the most.
“Collin [Murray-Boyles], Cam [Scott], all of those players,” Assemian said. “Just playing in that atmosphere with coach Paris in front of that whole town. Just everybody coming to see me and putting on for the city.”
In addition to Assemian, South Carolina has commitments from top-60 point guard Eli Ellis and three-star power forward EJ Walker. Assemian said he’s trying to recruit one or two more 2025 prospects, but keeping it on the down low.
The forward projects more as a three for the Gamecocks.
“Handle the ball a little more than I usually do,” Assemian said of his role. “Definitely keep doing what I’m doing on the aggressive side and getting boards, crashing. Being better on defense too.”
Assemian is ranked the No. 199 prospect in the 2025 class by 247Sports. He describes himself as someone who plays with a lot of energy and intensity.
“I like to get in there and rebound,” Assemian said. “I’m going to play hard on both ends. I like to help my teammates win, score. Anything I have to do to win the game I’m going to do… And I don’t get down on myself. I lift up my teammates, encourage them. Try to pick them up no matter what they do.”
There’s another hooper in the Assemian family. His dad, Elvis Assemian, is from the Ivory Coast and played Division II basketball in the states. His mother didn’t play basketball but is “really tall.”
A fun fact about Assemian is he can do a handstand and walk on his hands. He’s often referred to as his nickname “Big Fella.”
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