The University of Southern California’s men’s basketball program is gearing up for the 2026‑27 season with a promising mix of experience and fresh talent.
Three returning starters and three top‑30 freshmen prospects give the Trojans a deep lineup, but a spate of injuries has limited their summer workouts.
Head coach Eric Musselman, who took the helm this offseason, remains confident that most of the squad will be ready by August 25, though guard KJ Lewis will miss that deadline.
Practices have been curtailed for several injured players, including Rodney Rice, who is limited to non‑live drills, and Aaron Hunkin‑Claytor, who is resting a turf‑toe injury to ensure full recovery.
A Deep and Versatile Frontcourt
Veteran big man Jacob Cofie, after testing the NBA Draft Combine, is back in Los Angeles and will anchor the frontcourt, often sliding between power forward and center in small‑ball sets.
The roster also welcomes transfers Joshua Hughes, Christian Collins, Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff, each bringing distinct skill sets, while Jalen Cox will operate at point guard and Alijah Arenas is expected to be a do‑it‑all scorer.
Coach Musselman has pointed to analytics that show the team’s three‑point shooting must improve, a focus that will shape practice drills and game strategy.
The Trojans’ ultimate goal is a deep run in the NCAA tournament, a target that hinges on staying healthy after previous seasons were derailed by injury setbacks.