What is happening to the Red Sox? Plus, South Carolina steals top basketball recruit from UNC

Happy Monday, everyone! It's Zach Pereles back from vacation to bring you all the sports news you need. Hope you're doing well.

Let's get right to it.

Good morning to everyone but especially to...

247Sports

THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

After a rumor-filled last few months, GG Jackson -- the No. 1 overall player in 247Sports' 2023 basketball recruiting rankings -- made it official on Saturday: He's reclassifying to 2022 and going to South Carolina.

Jackson originally committed to North Carolina in April as a 2023 prospect before de-committing on July 14.Jackson is the highest-rated commit in South Carolina history and a huge addition for first-year head coach Lamont Paris.Jackson averaged 22.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game and won South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior last season at Ridge View High School -- just 15 miles from South Carolina's campus.

According to 247Sports national basketball director Eric Bossi, Jackson "is a more than capable jump shooter, has a nice jump hook and [has] become a real threat to face up and attack off the dribble. ... Defensively, he's ahead of the curve as well." Jackson's commitment is a massive win as South Carolina enters a new era, writes our college basketball expert David Cobb.

Cobb: "Getting the Gamecocks to the NCAA Tournament would require a herculean effort from Jackson, but his presence on the roster will be huge for the program as Paris seeks to build a relevant program. ... Landing Jackson should help answer any questions over whether Paris will be able to recruit well enough to compete in the SEC."

Honorable mentions

And not such a good morning for...

THE BOSTON RED SOX

Sorry, Red Sox fans. It's not pretty. In fact, it's historically ugly. Following yesterday's 8-4 loss to the Blue Jays, Boston has lost five straight games and has been outscored 67-13 during that stretch.

It's the worst run differential by any team over a five-game span in the Modern Era (since 1901). Yikes. The Red Sox lost to the Yankees 14-1 on July 16 and then 13-2 one day later to enter the All-Star Break. Perfect time for a break, right?

Wrong.

It's been embarrassing, horrendous, awful -- choose your negative adjective. Looking at the big picture, the Red Sox are 48-48, three games out of a Wild Card spot and headed in the wrong direction. Should that make them a seller at the trade deadline? It's a question worth asking, and Boston has plenty of players they could move on from, notes MLB expert Matt Snyder.

The trade deadline is Aug. 2. Whichever path the Red Sox choose will have huge, league-wide ramifications.