Unfinished basements don't need GFCI.



Damn. That blows up my premise that these guys were following code...

He got it backwards. Unfinished basements and garages are
considered damp, and require GFCI except for dedicated outlets
for permanent fixtures. (Sump pumps, for instance).

FINISHED basements do not require gfci, because it's assumed that
your occupiable space is not damp.

I'm pretty sure that's what the respondant above meant anyway,
since OP was asking about a closet in a finished basement.