USC Basketball: Top Incoming Prospect Explains Why He Wants To Play In LA

There are reasons beyond the sheer appeal of Tinseltown, you know.

New USC freshman point guard Isaiah Collier recently discussed a variety of topics with Ryan Jones of Slam ahead of his debut with the Trojans this fall, chief among them the reason the 6'3" 18-year-old out of Wheeler, Georgia is looking forward to continuing his NBA story in Los Angeles.

Collier is widely anticipated to be a top-five draft pick next season, assuming he foregoes the rest of his collegiate eligibility and declares for the NBA, at least.

“I got a lot of family out there—my brother and uncle, a lot of my cousins, they’re really all in L.A.,” he said. “And definitely Coach [Andy] Enfield, the program they have, I want to help get them to a Final Four and play that style they ran back at Florida Gulf Coast. I still watch those ‘Dunk City’ March Madness highlights on YouTube—all the dunks.”

Collier, a hyper-athletic prospect with a lethal first step, will form a formidable backcourt with fellow true freshman LeBron "Bronny" James Jr., anticipated to be selected near the late first round should he also declare for next season's draft.

The club will also be fielding returning guard Boogie Ellis, who may start over Bronny. Swingman Kobe Johnson should get the nod at starting small forward, while rookie DJ Rodman will start at his dad's old position, power forward, and Joshua Morgan will man the middle as the club's starting center.