When Eric Musselman assumed the position of head coach for the USC men’s basketball team, he was confronted with a significant challenge. The team was in disarray following the unexpected departure of former head coach Andy Enfield, who departed for SMU after a disappointing 15-18 record last season. Consequently, the majority of the team either entered the transfer portal or declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. Even their top recruit, Trent Perry, opted to join UCLA instead.
Musselman had to essentially start from scratch in constructing the roster, though he did receive some assistance from two of his recruits from Arkansas — Jalen Shelley and Isaiah Elohim, who chose to join him at USC.
During the Trojans’ initial week of summer practices under their new head coach, Musselman provided insights into his recruiting approach for assembling the transfer class.
“We aimed to recruit high-quality, high-character individuals,” Musselman informed reporters. “At USC, the academic aspect is also important. Our pool of recruits is different here, so that’s an added dimension to the recruiting process. We sought individuals who truly wanted to be here, and, from a stylistic standpoint, we wanted players who could perform in multiple positions. We felt that, in the first year, versatility was crucial, aiming for players of around 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6, and 6-foot-7. We do have some duplications, so some players will have to play out of position.”
Musselman also emphasized that the team is lacking in point guards and centres, and that the players may need to adapt to other positions in the event of foul trouble.
The roster overseen by Musselman includes two freshmen and a lineup of transfers, featuring Desmond Claude at 6-foot-6, Josh Cohen at 6-foot-10, Terrance Williams II at 6-foot-7, Saint Thomas at 6-foot-7, Chibuzo Agbo at 6-foot-7, Bryce Pope at 6-foot-3, Clark Slajchert at 6-foot-1, Matt Knowling at 6-foot-6, and Rashaun Agee at 6-foot-8.
In a separate story about USC, it was reported that Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, has allegedly participated in a workout session for a renowned western team.
Musselman’s analysis and approach to building the USC Trojans roster provides insight into the team’s transition under new leadership. With the challenges of roster reconstruction, it remains to be seen how the team will adapt and grow under their new head coach.