South-Carolina
‘They see the potential.’ Lloyd basketball star E.J. Walker commits to South Carolina
E.J. Walker will play in the Southeastern Conference.
The Lloyd Memorial junior basketball player verbally committed to play for the University of South Carolina Friday night in a live ceremony at the school.
USC, coached by Lamont Paris, went 26-8 last season, finished second in the SEC and reached the NCAA Tournament.
“He had a great relationship with Coach Paris,” his father and Lloyd head coach Mike Walker said. “The way they presented themselves as helping him not only as a basketball player but as a man really speaks volumes.”
Walker, 6-foot-8, averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds while playing in the post. He projects as a forward in college.
Walker said he loved the campus in Columbia and the relationship he is building with Paris.
“They don’t really have a position on their offense,” E.J. Walker said. “I’ll be able to set screens and receive screens. And on defense, I’ll be able to switch and guard multiple positions.”
Said Mike Walker: “They see the potential. The way they’re going to use him and his versatility is something we were really looking for. The way (Parris) uses the hybrid forward, the 3-4 (forwards) everywhere he’s been. He knows winning, he gets the guys ready to play. His personality and the way he coaches are a great fit for E.J.”
Walker took an official visit to South Carolina on the last weekend of March.
He is ranked the No. 125 overall prospect, the No. 28 power forward, and No. 2 prospect in Kentucky for the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He is a four-star recruit on 247Sports Composite Rankings and a consensus top-150 recruit in the 2025 class.
He was a priority target for Paris and the Gamecocks, according to the program’s On3.com recruiting site.
Walker took more than 50 visits according to his father. He had at least three to Wisconsin.
According to BadgerNotes, a Wisconsin recruiting site, “His unique combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills makes Walker a versatile chess piece. He can push the ball in transition, win down on the low block with footwork, face up on occasion, knock down shots, or put the ball on the deck.”
Walker, a 4.0 student, made the announcement live on social media in front of about 100 supporters in the school auditorium. Lloyd athletic director Bill Pilgram and fitness trainer Jordan Nevels spoke to the crowd, and both of his parents made emotional speeches.
“Our friendship, our coach and player relationship, and you being my son I wouldn’t change that for the world,” Mike Walker said during the ceremony. “When your teammates get all-tournament team or win awards, that’s when you have the biggest smile on your face.”
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Advocates, caregivers, patients, and community leaders gathered at the South Carolina State House on Friday for the inaugural South Carolina Sickle Cell Day.
Organizers said the event focused on raising awareness of sickle cell disease.
The South Carolina CBO Collective Caucus hosted the event at 10 a.m., coinciding with World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth.
Organizers said the gathering brought together healthcare professionals, legislators, advocates, and supporters from across the state to discuss education, support, and action related to sickle cell disease.
The program is designed to amplify the voices of individuals and families impacted by the disease and encourage conversations about healthcare access, advocacy, research, and community support, organizers said.
Attendees heard personal stories and learned about challenges faced by those living with sickle cell disease.
“World Sickle Cell Day is a powerful call to action for all of us,” said founder and CEO of The B Strong Group Brenda Green. She said the collaboration expands support, strengthens community response, and stands with affected families.
The B Strong Group, founded in 2017 and based in Columbia, is a nonprofit organization focused on sickle cell awareness, advocacy, and caregiver support.
The group organizes blood drives, caregiver workshops, and awareness campaigns under the motto “Educate, Advocate, Empower.”
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
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