A Roster Built for Depth
The University of Southern California's men's basketball program is gearing up for the 2026‑27 campaign, bringing together a blend of experience and fresh talent.
Head coach Eric Musselman has assembled a lineup that features three established starters, three highly touted freshmen prospects, and a handful of impactful transfers, creating a depth that could rival the best in the Pac‑12.
However, the team's preparation has been tempered by a series of injuries that have limited on‑court work during the summer months.
Musselman has set an August 25 deadline for most of the squad to be fully available, with the notable exception of guard KJ Lewis, whose return is expected in mid‑to‑late September.
Veteran Rodney Rice has been spotted practicing with the group, though he steps off the floor during live drills, while forward Aaron Hunkin‑Claytor remains sidelined by a turf‑toe injury that the staff hopes will heal completely before the season opener.
Big men Eric Reibe and KJ Lewis have yet to take part in any summer activities and have been excused from the remaining weeks of conditioning, with Reibe's setback described as semi‑pre‑existing and Lewis's timeline still fluid.
At the backcourt, Jalen Cox is competing for the point‑guard role, Alijah Arenas is slated to resume his do‑it‑all scoring duties, and sharpshooter Isaac Bruns will look to provide consistent three‑point shooting.
Jadis Jones is adapting to new responsibilities and working to refine his perimeter shot, while transfers such as Joshua Hughes, Christian Collins, Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff add versatility on both ends of the floor.
The frontcourt appears relatively stable, anchored by Jacob Cofie, who will play power forward and occasionally shift to center in small‑ball lineups, aiming to improve his three‑point shooting and leadership.
Coach Musselman has repeatedly emphasized the need to boost outside shooting, citing analytics that show the team's perimeter efficiency as a key area for growth.
Looking Ahead
With the roster on track to be fully operational by late September, the Trojans hope to translate depth into consistency and contend for a conference title.