Three Transfer Portal Prospects That Eric Musselman Should Target for USC

For the third season in a row, the USC Trojans men's basketball will be rebuilding the team nearly from scratch. With eight rotation players departing, including four who logged 20+ minutes per game, coach Eric Musselman faces another full-scale roster reset heading into 2026.

That level of turnover creates a sense of urgency, but it also creates opportunity. If USC wants to take a real step forward in the Big Ten, they must nail it in the transfer portal. Here are three three transfer portal targets should be at the top of the board.

Dior Johnson, Tarlton State

USC Trojans coach Eric Musselman Tarleton State guard Dior Johnson Virginia Tech forward Neoklis Avdalas transfer portal — Nov 14, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Tarleton State Texans guard Dior Johnson (7) attempts a layup ahead of Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

USC's biggest issue last season was their lack of shot creation, especially off the bench. That's where Tarleton State guard Dior Johnson provides and immediate fix.

Johnson is coming off a season averaging 24 points per game, a number that would have ranked second nationally if he met the games requirement. The only player ahead of him: the projected top-3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa. With that, Johnson earned WAC Sixth Man of the Year and Second Team All-WAC honors while scoring 20+ points in 14 games and topping 40 twice.

Although proven as a scorer, Johnson does come with a bit a baggage. Dating back to 2018 during his high school days, he has become a bit of a rental player, attending 13 different schools, including 3 colleges over the last eight years. But with his travels, he saw his most high school success in the California area playing for SoCal Prep, Prolific Prep, and Mayfair High School. There draws the connection that favors USC.

If junior guard Rodney Rice returns and Alijah Arenas foregoes the NBA Draft to come back for his sophomore season, Johnson becomes the microwave scorer this roster lacked. With junior guard Jordan Marsh and freshman guard Jerry Easter II hitting the transfer portal, Johnson has the perfect runway to be the third guard in the rotation.

Johnson may not put up 24 points per night off the bench like he did with Tarleton State, but a few breakout performances in the Big Ten could carry a lot more weight for his basketball future.

Neoklis Avdalas, Virginia Tech

If Musselman wants to lean into positional versatility, Neoklis Avdalas is the swing worth taking. The 6-foot-9 Virginia Tech transfer averaged 12.1 points while leading the team with 141 assists. He also added 17 blocks, showcasing rare two-way versatility for a jumbo guard. A former five-star international prospect, Avdalas entered college with NBA aspirations and still carries that long-term upside.

USC’s offense was at its best last season when bigger wings handled the ball. That’s why guard Chad Baker-Mazara’s role was so impactful before his departure. Avdalas fits that same mold, except he's bigger and has more long-term developmental value.

Musselman has also shown his ability to develop wing ball handlers in the past with guys like Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black and Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Smith Jr. both being drafted in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft after playing under him at Arkansas

With senior forward Ezra Ausar off to graduation and sophomore Jacob Cofie carving out a role for himself more so as a dirty work low-post power forward, Avdalas would give the Trojans a totally different look at the forward position.

Drew Fielder, Boise State

An ironic move given that the coach Lincoln Riley and the USC football team just recently had four-star offensive lineman Drew Fielder flip to them from Oregon. But similar to the lineman, Fielder from Boise State would be brought in to provide an inside presence.

The 6-foot-11 Boise State transfer averaged 14.7 points while shooting 41 percent from three, an uncommon skill set for a player his size. He knocked down 38 triples and more than doubled his scoring output from the previous season. At the center spot, Fielder provides a much needed inside-out game that the Trojans lacked last season.

Particularly from beyond the arc, USC finished as the worst three-point shooting team in the Big Ten at 31.4 percent. That has to change if they want to compete with teams like the Michigan Wolverines and Illinois Fighting Illini next season. Fielder immediately helps them in that department.

While Fielder would be another big body that also adds some floor spacing, USC also welcomes in the Ratliff Twins, Adonis and Darius, along with five star forward Christian Collins. The twins and Collins operate mainly as above the rim, high motor players that do their best work as rim defenders on defense and operating in paint on offense. Fielder provides a perfect contrast to them that will allow him to play next any combination of the three freshmen.

There’s also a subtle roster-building advantage here. His Southern California prep background adds a regional connection, something USC continues to prioritize in roster construction.

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