USC basketball has entered the transfer portal season, and it’s not just about adding talent. It is about proving that the basketball program is moving forward.
The transfer portal opened on April 7, giving head coach Eric Musselman and the Trojans a chance to rebuild the roster after an inconsistent 2025-26 season. USC finished 18-14 and went 7-13 in Big Ten play, missing the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. The team did see some success, winning the Maui Invitational and going undefeated in non-conference play. On the other hand, the Trojans finished the year on an eight-game losing streak.
This offseason feels make or break for Musselman. He’s got to prove that he can take USC to the next level and that started with junior guard Rodney Rice announcing he will come back for the 2026-27 season. Rice is a proven scorer, averaging 20.3 points and six assists per game in six games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Guards Jordan Marsh, Jerry Easter II and Amarion Dickerson all entered the transfer portal. They all were key depth pieces for USC. Meanwhile, freshman guard Alijah Arenas, sophomore forward Jacob Cofie and junior center Gabe Dynes haven’t announced their decisions, leaving three big question marks looming over this roster.
The uncertainty makes the priorities in the portal clear. The Trojans need good guard play, scoring depth and frontcourt stability. Rice will be a team leader, but there needs to be other scorers around him.
The good news: the first piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.
USC announced Tuesday that the team has landed senior guard KJ Lewis in the transfer portal from Georgetown. Lewis averaged 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game for the Hoyas after spending two seasons with Arizona.
The Trojans also have high school help on the way. Centers Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff, and forward Christian Collins are part of USC’s 2026 class and are McDonald’s All-Americans. The incoming talent gives USC upside, but depending on freshman can be risky. That’s why taking advantage of the portal is so crucial.
In its ideal world, USC retains Arenas, Cofie and Dynes. If Musselman can hang onto those three guys, the roster looks like a team that can compete in the Big Ten and make the NCAA Tournament.
With Rice returning, Lewis joining the squad, and a talented incoming freshman class, USC has the foundation of a competitive team. The pressure is on Musselman to finish the job. If the Trojans can add a piece or two for depth and retain their current players, this offseason can become one that shifts the direction of USC basketball.