Aleksas Bieliauskas has made his transfer decision and is headed to the SEC to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks. The former Wisconsin starter left the Badgers in a surprising twist and is now headed to a program that also comes as a bit of a shock.
The Gamecocks aren't known for shooting bigs, though Elijah Strong did make 27 last season; he's not typically a center on the roster. He's only 6'8, and while he is in the transfer portal, he was their only stretch big, if you want to give him that full title. The two seven-footers on the Gamecocks team last season don't slide outside much at all.
NEWS: Wisconsin transfer Aleksas Bieliauskas has committed to South Carolina, Gersh Sports told DraftExpress.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 18, 2026
The 6'10, 20-year-old Lithuanian freshman started all 23 Big Ten games for the Badgers, hitting 37% of his 3-pointers in conference play. pic.twitter.com/52koIO56cx
South Carolina plays a different style of offense and was one of the lowest-scoring teams in the country
Related: Greg Gard might’ve quietly found his next John Blackwell or did he?
There's some appeal that maybe the Gamecocks are trying to replace Strong, but with a bigger and better shooting version. Also, hoping to develop a little bit more.
The Gamecocks aren't a high-scoring team; in fact, they ranked 202nd in points per game last season and 162nd in three-pointers made. It's not a team known to stretch the floor or push the pace, which is where Bieliauskas excelled.
There clearly was more money involved, but you have to wonder how it will work with Bieliauskas as a Gamecock. The upside for the fit in South Carolina is that Bieliauskas is not a player who demands the ball. He's fine playing a role and doesn't need to even score in a game to make an impact. The Gamecocks have a guard-heavy style, and that could be the silver lining and why the coaches wanted a player like Bieliauskas.
At the end of the day, it's hard to see him go, while he wasn't a star and he shouldn't have even been a starter this season, but was thrust into the role due to Austin Rapp's early-season struggles and a bench with only another true freshman. He played well and had some key moments. He would really take another big jump in his sophomore year under Greg Gard. He may end up taking a step back at South Carolina.
Add us as a preferred source on Google