Last updated May 3 at 3:26 p.m. PST
After an incredible 2023-24 season for USC women’s basketball that culminated in the program’s first Elite Eight appearance in three decades, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb will have to quickly retool. Gottlieb’s squad has serious momentum heading into her fourth season at the helm of the Trojans, as well as a cornerstone player that has already developed into a superstar talent after just one year.
Before getting into the additions and losses for next season, let’s take a look at which players are coming back for the fall, as well as what year they’ll be in for 2024-25. Contributors Jude Ocañas, Crash Collier, Suzanne Schofield and Will Simonds have broken down these roster changes:
Returners (6)
- Sophomore guard JuJu Watkins (No. 2 in Division I with 27.1 points per game in 2023-24)
- Senior center Rayah Marshall (averaged a double-double in back-to-back seasons)
- Senior center Clarice Akunwafo (nine career starts over three seasons)
- Redshirt junior guard Dominique Darius (2.5 points per game in 19 games last season)
- Sophomore guard Malia Samuels (23 games, one start during freshman year)
- Redshirt sophomore guard Aaliyah Gayles (former No. 8 overall recruit)
While Watkins is a clear star to build around for the future, Gottlieb also has to replace several key contributors from last season, namely a trio of Ivy League grad transfers that were consistent starters.
Graduating (5)
- Guard McKenzie Forbes (USC’s No. 2 scorer at 14.3 points per game)
- Guard Kayla Padilla (led USC with 42.8% 3-point shooting)
- Forward Kaitlyn Davis (6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds per game with 24 starts)
- Guard Roxane Makolo (10 steals in 23 appearances)
- Guard India Otto (28 games over five seasons at USC)
Entered transfer portal (2)
- Guard Kayla Williams (4.0 points per game, 31 starts over two seasons at USC) → transferred to Cal
- Guard Taylor Bigby (4.6 points per game, 18 starts over two seasons at USC) → transferred to TCU
Though its seven losses will certainly hurt the Trojans’ depth for the upcoming season, Gottlieb is already well-positioned to bounce back. USC boasts the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation for 2024, which includes three McDonald’s All-Americans and six players in the top 100 of ESPN’s recruiting rankings.
Update: On April 27 and 29, USC also added a pair of familiar veterans through the portal that raise the Trojans’ ceiling even higher.
Transfer portal commitments (2)
Kiki Iriafen, 6-foot-3 forward
Previous School: Stanford
Class for 2024-25: Senior
Committed: April 27
Simonds: On top of an already stacked high school recruiting class, the Trojans also grabbed the top player in the portal — forward Kiki Iriafen — according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. During her junior year at Stanford in 2023-24, Iriafen took a massive jump, leading the Cardinal in scoring at 19.4 points per game on 54.6% shooting, in addition to 11 rebounds per game. Her accolades include 2024 Pac-12 Most Improved Player and AP All-America Honorable Mention.
Iriafen is a Los Angeles native, attending high school at nearby Harvard-Westlake. Along with fellow forward Cameron Brink, Iriafen helped lead Stanford to a Pac-12 regular season title this past season, as well as a Sweet 16 appearance. However, USC defeated Iriafen’s Cardinal in both matchups this season, including in the Pac-12 Tournament championship game. But, hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right?
Iriafen entered the portal after legendary Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer announced her retirement earlier this month. Notably, Iriafen took her official visit Friday along with Oregon State guard transfer Talia von Oelhoffen, who has USC listed among her four finalists.
Already a top contender for 2025, Iriafen — paired with an elite defender in Marshall — makes the Trojans’ frontcourt a nightmare matchup as well. The will-be senior’s experience will also be impactful for a USC squad that was set to rely on a lot of freshmen in the upcoming season. And that’s not even to mention the JuJu-Kiki combination — perhaps the best-named duo in the country.
Talia von Oelhoffen, 5-foot-11 guard
Previous School: Oregon State
Class for 2024-25: Graduate
Committed: April 29
Collier: The addition of Talia von Oelhoffen firmly gives the Trojans the best group of newcomers in the country — if they didn’t already own that distinction. After four seasons with Oregon State, the two-time All-Pac-12 guard transferred to USC for her final season of eligibility on Monday, she told ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Her announcement comes just three days after Gottlieb’s contract extension at USC through the end of the 2029-30 season, and two days after Iriafen’s announcement — the duo did their official visits and committed together before leaving campus. Von Oelhoffen’s other transfer finalist destinations following the collapse of the Pac-12 were Louisville, Colorado and Kentucky.
In her final season with the Beavers, von Oelhoffen averaged 10.7 points, 5.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. Her contributions helped lead the Beavers to a fourth-place finish in the Pac-12 regular season after being selected 10th in the preseason poll and the program’s third Elite Eight in its history.
As USC gears up for its first season in the Big Ten, von Oelhoffen will look to be a leader alongside Iriafen and Watkins. Her versatility as a guard — she can play both on and off the ball — will greatly benefit the Trojans, especially depending on which freshman recruits shine early on next season. In addition, her status as a college basketball veteran will be an asset to USC, as von Oelhoffen said that she also hopes to help mentor the incoming freshman class as they adjust to playing at the collegiate level.
Von Oelhoffen’s commitment brings the Trojans to 15 players, meaning the USC roster is likely set for the upcoming season. Still, a starting five that will likely consist of Watkins, Iriafen, von Oelhoffen, Marshall and one of the freshman recruits listed below will already be as dangerous as any in the nation, with plenty of talent available on the bench.
High school recruits (7)
Kennedy Smith, 6-foot-1 guard
High School: Etiwanda HS (CA)
ESPN Ranking: Five star (No. 6 overall)
Ocañas: If USC’s backcourt couldn’t get any more dangerous, the Trojans are adding a five-star McDonald’s All-American in Kennedy Smith to pair with Watkins. Playing for Etiwanda all four years, Smith showcased her versatility as a wing through her scoring and playmaking ability. To wrap up her senior season, she finished as a back-to-back CIF Open Division state champion, averaging 20.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
Gottlieb will love what Smith brings to the table for the Trojans next season. Her dynamic play at the guard position allows her to play anywhere on the court. Alongside Watkins, Smith is a perfect replacement for Forbes. Smith doesn’t need to have the ball in her hands to make an impact, as she can be a reliable option as a catch-and-shoot threat. Around the rim, she can finish efficiently with her polished footwork and touch. Smith will likely see many minutes in her freshman season.
Kayleigh Heckel, 5-foot-9 guard
High School: Long Island Lutheran HS (NY)
ESPN Ranking: Five star (No. 13 overall)
Ocañas: Another All-American, Kayleigh Heckel, will bring lighting-quick speed to the USC backcourt next season. The New York native led her high school to a 21-2 record, earning the No. 4 spot in MaxPreps’ final Top 25 high school women’s basketball rankings. As the team facilitator, she averaged 16.6 points, 8.3 assists and 3.1 steals a game. Her senior season play earned her Third-Team Naismith All- America honors.
In her senior season, Heckel demonstrated that she can score at all three levels of the floor. Her quick first step and speed allow her to blow by defenders in the open court and attack the basket. Heckel possesses great creativity around the rim, finishing with various moves. She is a proven 3-point shooter and will make defenses pay if they don’t respect her ability beyond the arc. But her impact goes beyond just scoring, as Heckel has great vision of the court, fitting her passes in tight windows. She is a highly confident ball-handler under pressure and should help take some of those duties off Watkins next season.
Avery Howell, 6-foot guard
High School: Boise HS (ID)
ESPN Ranking: Five star (No. 16 overall)
Collier: A two-time recipient of Idaho’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Avery Howell averaged 21.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.0 steals per game in her senior season at Boise High School. The top-20 recruit and McDonald’s All-American helped lead her team all the way to the Idaho 5A semifinals, posting a 24-2 record in her final year of high school.
As the highest-rated recruit to ever come out of Idaho, Howell now looks to bring her talents to a USC team that is already reloading around Watkins. With her impressive high school resume and ability to play well at both ends of the court, Howell could vie for one of the three vacancies in the Trojans’ starting lineup left by Forbes, Padilla and Davis from last season’s Elite Eight squad.
Vivian Iwuchukwu, 6-foot-3 forward
High School: Montverde Academy (FL)
ESPN Ranking: Four star (No. 47 overall)
Collier: Vivian Iwuchukwu helped lead Montverde Academy to a 26-1 record during her senior year, when she put up an average of 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Iwuchukwu adds more depth to the USC frontcourt as the Trojans’ prepare for their first season in the Big Ten. The 6-foot-3 forward’s presence in the paint could cause trouble for opposing defenses, as Iwuchukwu is very aggressive with the ball in her hands. Iwuchukwu is a player who will be relentless on offense and wear down opponents late in the game. Joining Marshall and Akunwafo in the post, Iwuchukwu’s size and strength will help the Trojans win conference games that are going to be very physical and competitive this upcoming winter.
Rian Forestier, 5-foot-11 guard
High School: Brandeis HS (TX)
ESPN Ranking: Four star (No. 54 overall)
Schofield: Forestier’s unconventional training regimen — including sessions in the boxing ring with former World Boxing Champ James Leija — speaks volumes about her approach to the game. Her dedication extends beyond personal improvement; she’s also the brains behind “4ward,” a charity initiative that provides gym shoes to underprivileged young athletes.
Forestier’s on-court performance is also impressive. With a remarkable 62-point game under her belt, her scoring prowess is undeniable at 25.8 points per game in her senior season. But it’s her all-around game that sets her apart. Forestier also averaged 13.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 4.1 steals and 2.5 blocks this past year, so be ready for her to make an impact in several ways at USC.
Laura Williams, 6-foot-1 forward
High School: Paul VI HS (VA)
ESPN Ranking: Four star (No. 92 overall)
Schofield: Standing tall at 6-foot-1, Laura Williams is a formidable force on the basketball court. Hailing from Virginia, Williams boasts an impressive track record, contributing significantly to her team’s 16-year state title streak. During her summer stints with the Fairfax Stars AAU and Nike EYBL circuit, she averaged 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. In a USC press release, Gottlieb praised Williams’ tenacity and adaptability, making her a perfect fit for the Trojans’ fast-paced style. She’ll be another important addition to USC’s frontcourt depth in the future to pair with an endless number of talented guards.
Brooklyn Shamblin, 5-foot-9 guard
High School: Oaks Christian HS (CA)
ESPN Ranking: Three star (not ranked)
Schofield: Brooklyn Shamblin, a dynamic 5-foot-9 guard, is set to make a resounding impact at USC. Gottlieb described Shamblin in her signing announcement as a playmaking combo guard with a knack for scoring and facilitating. Initially a recruit in the 2025 class, Shamblin reclassified to move up a year and will enroll with the Trojans in 2024. Though not quite as highly rated as other USC recruits, Shamblin still has plenty of accomplishments despite dealing with injuries during high school. She was the 2022 CIF Southern Section Player of the Year as just a freshman, and earned a spot at the USA Basketball U16 trials and a McDonald’s All-American nomination in 2024.