UCLA Basketball: Former USC Trojans standout Kobe Johnson to Transfer to Bruins

Eva Geitheim | Apr 4, 2024

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Former USC basketball guard Kobe Johnson has announced he's transferring to UCLA. Johnson announced his official commitment to the Bruins with a social media post on Thursday that included the caption "4's Up!"

4’s Up‼️🐻 pic.twitter.com/8UQWZpeSP4

— Kobe Johnson (@iamkobejohnson) April 4, 2024

The decision comes after Johnson announced he was entering the transfer portal on March 22. Now, Johnson leaves USC for their rival, UCLA. Johnson leaves the Trojans after spending three seasons with the team. During his final season at USC, Johnson averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Overall in his USC career, he averaged 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

This is the second transfer commitment the Bruins men's basketball team has secured this offseason, after former Louisville standout Skyy Clark announced he would be transferring to UCLA on Wednesday. Clark comes to UCLA after spending one year with Louisville and one year with Illinois.

These additions are significant for UCLA, who had an overall down season in 2023-2024. After making the NCAA Sweet 16 for the last three seasons, the Bruins failed to qualify for March Madness for the first time in four years. The Bruins finished with a 16-17 overall record, and a 10-10 conference record as they struggled to maintain the success they had with the core of Jaime Jacquez Jr., Jaylen Clark and Tyger Campbell.

Now, the Bruins have brought in Clark and Johnson to join a team that features Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Adem Bona, Sebastian Mack, Lazar Stefanovic and Dylan Andrews. With this additional depth and another year under Mick Cronin, the Bruins will look to rebound in their first season competing in the Big Ten.