USC’s basketball program is entering a pivotal phase as Coach Eric Musselman seeks to translate his vision into a winning formula on the court.
Retaining the Core
Musselman stresses that keeping the right players is more valuable than simply adding as many newcomers as possible, especially given the financial limits imposed by the transfer market.
The foundation of the upcoming squad will revolve around a trio of returning scholarship players — Alijah Arenas, Rodney Rice and Jacob Cofie — who bring scoring, playmaking and physical presence.
Arenas averaged 16.4 points and 3.2 assists last season, while Rice contributed nearly 13 points per game, providing a solid offensive backbone.
Leveraging the Transfer Portal
To fill specific gaps, the Trojans have secured seven transfers — KJ Lewis, Eric Reibe, Jalis Jones, Jalen Cox, Isaac Bruns, Joshua Hughes and Aaron Hunkin‑Claytor — each chosen to address needs such as size, perimeter scoring, defensive versatility and backcourt stability.
Musselman draws inspiration from programs like Ohio State, where coach Bruce Thornton has developed freshmen into cornerstone players, aiming to replicate that development curve at USC.
The coach acknowledges the evolving eligibility rules and the volatility of the portal, but remains confident that a balanced mix of retained talent, high‑upside freshmen and purposeful transfers will position the Trojans for sustained competitiveness.