Irmo High's Justin McKie Signs With USC

Irmo High basketball player Justin McKie is following in the footsteps of his father, former University of South Carolina basketball star BJ McKie. 

Justin McKie signed his letter of intent to play with the Gamecocks Tuesday at Irmo High School. 

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard knows he has big shoes to fill. His father was the all-time leading scorer for the Gamecocks when he played for the team from 1996 to 1999. 

But Justin McKie said he's looking forward to the challenge.

“It is exciting for me,” McKie told The Big Spur. “He was a great player but like I always say it is time for me to step out of his shadow and build my own legacy."

Justin McKie's father, mother and stepmother joined him at the high school for the signing Tuesday. 

"I'm very proud of him. We're very proud of him," BJ McKie told the small crowd of friends, family and students in the school's gym. "Justin's come a long way."

Basketball Head Coach Tim Whipple said watching Justin McKie sign with USC was a "bittersweet situation."

"It's a lot of fun because it's the start of a new life, the start of a new situation," Whipple said. "But it's also a sad time too because it's the end of a situation." 

"The exciting part is he'll only be 10 miles down the road and we'll get to see him play in garnet and black next year," Whipple said.  

In the meantime, Justin McKie and the Irmo basketball team are getting ready for their season. They'll play at Dutch Fork at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27.