USC Women's Basketball: Elite Defender Impressing In Big Dance Run

Reserve USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo has become a key piece of the Women of Troy's Sweet Sixteen-bound run this season, writes Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times.

The 6'6" big, the Cardinal and Gold's tallest talent since 2017, proved to be a postseason hero during the team's 73-55 Round of 32 win against the Kansas Jayhawks. But Akunwafo revealed that she was most appreciative of head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's backing with regards to her goal of becoming a surgeon.

“That girl, she freaking dominated,” starting USC center Rayah Marshall said. “Without her, I don’t know what the outcome of this game would be like.”

“Lindsay always supports my dream to be a doctor, that’s why I really stayed,” Akunwafo said. “She supports me and I’m going to support her and always have her back.”

“I have a lot of faith in Lindsay,” Akunwafo continued, in speaking of how she feels about USC's march through March Madness so far. “She always said this is what she wanted, and we got here.”

“I would put Clarice against any big in the country,” All-American freshman Trojans guard JuJu Watkins stated confidently.

USC is set to square off against the Baylor Bears in the Sweet Sixteen on ESPN today at 2:30 p.m. PT.

“I love these girls so much and I want to play for them,” Akunwafo announced. “We want to win and we want to go all the way to the natty.”

We can only hope!