USC is a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12, especially when it comes to basketball. No matter who is on the floor, expect a tough Trojan squad.
That said, there have been many Trojans that have made an impact in the NBA. Ahead are the top-five NBA players from USC since 2000.
But first, an honorable mention.
Brian Scalabrine: Affectionately known as the “White Mamba” or “Scal,” Scalabrine played 11 seasons in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. People tend to forget that he was part of the 2008 Celtics squad that took down the L.A. Lakers in the NBA Finals.
His postgame interview after winning the championship is meme-worthy, and Scal’s highlights will make you wonder if the NBA will ever see anyone more graceful on the court. The comment section on his highlight videos make the legend of the White Mamba that much more enthralling.
Currently, he’s an analyst for the Celtics and was recently in the BIG3.
Without further ado, here are the top-five Trojans that made it to the NBA.
No. 5: O.J. Mayo
With an amazing nickname, “Grocery List” sure seemed like the next big thing for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his rookie year.
However, the third overall pick in the 2008 draft class failed to capitalize on that, and his production dipped with each passing year. During his last season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016, he started in 24 of the 41 games he appeared in and averaged 7.8 pts, 2.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Mayo holds career averages of 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
His NBA career was cut short in 2016 after violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. Although Mayo may have had a subpar career, his rookie year was impressive as he had top-20 free throw percentage (12th at 87.9%) and several 3-point field goals (19th with 145) made.
No. 4: Nick Young
Also known as “Swaggy P,” this journeyman has been in the NBA for 12 years with the L.A. Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, L.A. Lakers, the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets after being drafted 16th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
A confident outside shooter at 37% from the three, Young is best known for being a frequent nominee on “Shaqtin’ a Fool,” with his most memorable moment being that he celebrated a missed 3-pointer. During his time with the Lakers, he was also known for his involvement in numerous scandals.
Despite his mishaps, he won a championship with the 2017-2018 Warriors as a key scoring contributor off the bench. He is currently a free agent.
No. 3: Taj Gibson
Gibson is the prototypical “glue” guy after going 26th in 2009 draft. His impact doesn’t always appear on the stat sheet, nor did it need to — the results speak for themselves. He has reached the playoffs every year with the exception of the 2018-2019 season, when he played for the inconsistent Minnesota Timberwolves.
His veteran presence is what helped him land a 2-year, $20 million deal with the New York Knicks this year. He’s expected to be a stabilizing presence on an otherwise rudderless team.
No. 2: Nikola Vucevic
Although playoff success has eluded him, Vucevic has been a steady force for the post-Dwight Howard Orlando Magic. After making his NBA debut in 2011, he’s averaged a double-double in five of his eight NBA seasons. In this past season, he averaged 20.8 points,12 rebounds,3.8 assists and had an All-Star appearance.
As a result, the Magic rewarded him with a 4-year, $100 million contract in free agency. The Magic are hoping that the 28-year-old big man can continue elevating his game and lead them to the playoffs again.
No. 1: DeMar DeRozan
After being the face of the Toronto Raptors for almost a decade, DeRozan now calls San Antonio his home. The midrange specialist has made four All-Star appearances and has been named as a two-time All-NBA selection.
DeRozan has improved every year since entering the league in 2009 as the ninth pick, making him an all-around threat. In his first year with the Spurs last season, he averaged 21.2 points, six rebounds and 6.2 assists — the latter two being career-highs. He holds the NBA career averages of 19.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
With so many impactful players in the NBA, it’s safe to say that USC is well-represented, especially with Kevin Porter Jr. and Bennie Boatwright taking their first steps into the Association.
The aforementioned players serve as an indicator for all NBA enthusiasts: expect there to be more Trojans on the way to the NBA. Perhaps, the next potential NBA star could be playing in the Galen Center when the season starts in November.