June 11, 2008

Branden Conrad and Robert Wilder have earned basketball scholarships for the 2008-09 school year, first-year head coach Darrin Horn announced Wednesday.

"Both Branden and Robert have been exemplary in everything that we have asked of them since we arrived on campus," said Horn. "Since we have some scholarships available, I felt that we should reward them while we can. They have earned it and they deserve it."

Conrad, a 6-2, 180-pound senior from Charlotte, N.C., appeared in 10 games for the Gamecocks during the 2007-08 campaign, scoring six points and grabbing six rebounds. He came to Carolina after spending two years at the Naval Academy.

"I am excited about helping lead this team to new heights in my senior season," said Conrad. "To do it as a scholarship player is a goal realized and something I will always be grateful to Coach Horn and his staff for making possible."

Wilder, a 6-1, 185-pound junior from Chapin, S.C., appeared in six games for the Gamecocks in 2007-08, tallying three points and two rebounds. He joined the team last fall after sitting out his freshman year at USC.

"I'm thankful Coach Horn and his staff have helped make a dream come true for me," said Wilder. "I'm excited about the direction our program is headed and want to do whatever I can to help make it successful."

The Gamecocks currently have 11 players on scholarship for the 2008-09 campaign.