A trip from one part of the state is a transition for any college freshman. South Carolina freshman forward Trey Anderson’s adjustment goes further than counties lines. Anderson is getting used to a whole new part of the country.

A Class of 2019 signee by way of post-grad prep school Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, Conn., Anderson is originally from San Diego, California. After playing on the west coast and in the northeast, he is playing college ball in the southeast. He’s learning about a different way of life.

“It’s been a different transition,” Anderson said. “I did a prep school in Connecticut last year, but still coming this way has been different. It’s a different culture, the people, the food. I’d say I’ve had to grow up quickly. The food is my favorite part. The food is the biggest thing, the soul food and seafood, for sure.”

He only appeared in three of the season’s 13 non-conference games with 10 total minutes played, the lowest of any scholarship player on the roster. He’s was asked about the word “patience” in his first media availability of the season and explained the significance of the word.

“That’s a real big word this year. Freshman year is all about patience and waiting your time,” Anderson said. “Even having coaches that are patient with you makes the transition a lot easier. Frank (Martin) is a hard coach to play for, but him being patient and older guys being patient with us makes it easier.”

While he’s received some culture shock off the court, the 6-6, 203-pound forward is also experiencing a whole new way of playing basketball with the Gamecocks.

“I’d probably say his offensive and defensive schemes have been the biggest hurdle,” Anderson said. “I feel the offense is more troubling for me, not the defense. I feel I pride myself on defense so it comes a little easier, but learning his concepts and learning the play the way he knows we can play has been the biggest adjustment.”

One of five true freshmen on the 2019-20 roster, Anderson credited three veterans taking him under their wing to learn the ropes of being a member of the Gamecocks men’s basketball program.

“Justin (Minaya), Jair (Bolden) and big Maik (Kotsar) have really taken me under their wing,” Anderson said. “They are on me when I’m down, on me when I’m doing good and they stay on me, telling me to be myself and stay confident.”

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Anderson averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game in his one season at Woodstock Academy. As a senior in high school he averaged 16.7 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds per game to help lead Mater Dei Catholic to a league championship title and a berth in the San Diego Section Open Division semifinal playoffs. He was named the 2017-18 Mesa League Player of the Year (The Star News) as a senior.