Why Transfer Portal Additions Aren't Only Strength Of USC Basketball's Future

USC Trojans Basketball has a talented transfer class coming in this season, but it's their recent recruiting that has also been a highlight of the offseason. This four star recruiting target recently set an unofficial visit to the Trojans.

Jan 14, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC men's basketball coach Eric Musselman is leading the Trojans in the right direction, and the future looks bright heading into the 2025-26 season. Fresh off his first season that ended with a 17-18 record and a 7-13 Big Ten finish, Musselman made several additions to the Trojans' roster this offseason, including bringing in one of the nation's top transfer classes.

Not only has USC been successful in the transfer portal, but its recruiting has started to strengthen as well. Entering this season, the Trojans have two talented shooting guard commits and an eighth-ranked recruiting class. Five-star Alijah Arenas, son of NBA star Gilbert Arenas, highlights Musselman's first recruiting class.

Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman calls out a play during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Arenas, however, is expected to miss six to eight months after suffering a knee injury that required surgery. Four-star shooting guard Jerry Easter is also a talented shooting guard incoming this season.

USC Sets Unofficial Visit For 2027 Four Star Forward

Jan 14, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman poses with fans after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Musselman has his sights set on what he hopes is a bright future for USC basketball as he tries to elevate the program to a similar level that he achieved during his tenure with the Arkansas Razorbacks. USC has offered a talented four-star recruit who could benefit the future of their program under Musselman.

USC is set to host four small forward Gene Roebuck for an unofficial visit on Sept. 9. Roebuck, a talented forward out of La Mirada High School, is ranked as the No. 40 overall recruit in the 2027 national recruiting class.

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Outside of USC, several other schools have expressed their interest in Roebuck. The list of schools that have offered Roebuck includes Arizona State, California, Kansas, San Francisco, and UCLA.

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: Gene Roebuck, the No. 40 overall recruit in the national 2027 class, will take an unofficial visit to #USC on September 9th, per @gabehekmat.

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄 https://t.co/GV59lwpNOY pic.twitter.com/ePkQnMYnM9

— Brandon Jenkins (@BJenkins247) September 3, 2025

Roebuck has been a rising star for La Mirada in his freshman and sophomore seasons. In his two seasons with La Mirada, Roebuck has averaged 21.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.

What To Expect With USC Heading Into This Season?

The USC Trojans bench celebrates Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. | Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While USC struggled in its first season in the Big Ten, expect this year to be much brighter in the second season under Musselman. While USC did struggle last season, they pulled off some big wins against two of the top teams in the conference, against Illinois and Michigan State.

With a talented transfer class, the Trojans are poised to be an underrated team in the Big Ten this season and will be stout on defense with some of their offseason additions.

The addition of Virginia forward Jacob Cofie, Auburn forward Chad Baker-Mazara, and 2024-25 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year guard Amarion Dickerson from Robert Morris will make the Trojans a very talented defensive team.

Mar 21, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; Robert Morris Colonials guard Amarion Dickerson (3) reacts in the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the NCAA Tournament First Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Trojans' incoming transfer class being ranked sixth in defensive rating, will put USC in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten and earn them a spot in the NCAA Tournament this season.