There was plenty of turnover in the first offseason of head coach Eric Musselman’s tenure with the USC men’s basketball program.
Six players transferred to another school and one signed an NBA contract, leaving just one returning starter in Terrance Williams II to lead the Trojans.
Three true freshmen have arrived, including local star Alijah Arenas – although his debut is delayed due to a knee injury. USC also reloaded with 10 transfers, and many of those will help out the Trojans in multiple phases of defense.
“We’ve seen really incredible growth,” Musselman told reporters in late September. “Basically, we’re putting together a group of guys that have never played together, didn’t even know each other really.
“This is college, so we want them to get along. We want them to have a great time inside the building and probably the only way to do that is through really understanding who your teammate is as a person and as a player.”
Who’s gone
Rashaun Agee, PF, 6-8: Agee transferred to Texas A&M on May 21. He started 10 games and played in 34 games overall in his one season with USC. His playing time increased as the season went on and he became a key rebounder. Agee averaged 4.5 boards per game and led the Trojans in the category in eight games.
Saint Thomas, SF, 6-7: Thomas signed a summer-league contract with the Philadelphia 76ers after not being selected in the NBA draft. He was the only Trojan to start in all 35 games and recorded a career-high nine assists three times.
Desmond Claude, PG, 6-6: Claude was USC’s top scorer player at 15.8 points per game, which was 12th-best in the Big Ten. He scored more than 30 points twice. Claude announced on social media that he had transferred to Washington on June 8.
Jalen Shelley, SF, 6-8: The left-handed Shelley is now at Loyola Marymount, which USC played in an exhibition game Oct. 18. His length made him an asset on both sides of the court in his freshman season at USC. Shelley scored a season-high 10 points and pulled down six rebounds against Purdue on Feb. 7.
Wesley Yates III, CG, 6-4: Yates returned to Washington after playing one season for USC. He redshirted his first year with the Huskies, then joined the Trojans and averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Kevin Patton Jr., SG, 6-8: Patton came off the bench to contribute 3.1 points per game while shooting 56.1% from the field. He’ll play for New Mexico State this season.
Isaiah Elohim, CG, 6-5: Elohim was efficient when he got on the court, shooting 59.1% from the field. The Sierra Canyon School product played in 18 games for the Trojans.
Who’s back
Terrance Williams II, F, 6-7: Williams is the lone returning starter and is expected to be a major presence again, especially now that he’s healthy. He started six games and averaged 10.6 points before a broken wrist required surgery.
Jonah Goorin, G, 6-4: The sophomore from San Francisco played in one game last season and has been a valuable scout team player this preseason.
Brit Burden, F, 6-7: The sophomore is primarily a scout teams contributor and got into one game last season.
Who’s new
Chad Baker-Mazara, SF, 6-7: Baker-Mazara, who is from the Dominican Republic, made stops at Duquesne, San Diego State, Northwest Florida State and Auburn before arriving at USC. He brings plenty of charisma, but don’t let his fun-seeking personality fool you: He averaged 12.3 points, three rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game with the Tigers last season.
Ezra Ausar, PF, 6-8: Ausar was a regular starter at Utah last season and was second on the Utes with 12.5 points and five rebounds per game. He started in the Trojans’ exhibition game against LMU and recorded two points and three rebounds.
Jaden Brownell, PF, 6-9: The former Samford University standout averaged 14 points and 4.1 rebounds last season. He matched his average in rebounds with four in the exhibition game against LMU.
EJ Neal, SG, 6-5: Neal, a former junior college player, shot roughly 34% from beyond the arc and made 55 3-pointers while playing in all 32 games for Sacramento State last season. He also made 77% of his free throws.
Rodney Rice, SG, 6-4: Rice was a four-star high school recruit, but injuries held him back for his first two college seasons at Virginia Tech. He played for Maryland last season, where he averaged almost 14 points per game and shot 37% from 3-point range. He earned a spot as a starter in USC’s exhibition game against LMU.
Jacob Cofie, PF, 6-10: Cofie has the chance to elevate Trojans’ ability to defend this season after averaging 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game at Virginia last season.
Amarion Dickerson, CG, 6-7: Dickerson was the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year while at Robert Morris University last season and helped the team reach the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Jordan Marsh, PG, 5-10: Marsh has taken over at point guard and contributed 12 points in the Trojans’ exhibition game. He was the Big South Newcomer of the Year last season after shooting 44.8% from the field and 30.5% from beyond the arc to finish with 18.8 points per game with UNC Asheville. Musselman has called him a “one-man press break.”
Gabe Dynes, C, 7-5: Dynes had 104 blocks with Youngstown State last season and was named to the Horizon League All-Defensive Team. He’ll be another key piece of USC’s defense after averaging 6.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Alijah Arenas, G, 6-6: The McDonald’s All-American from Chatsworth High is currently rehabbing a torn meniscus and it’s unclear when he will be ready to play. He was one of the top high school recruits in the nation and was poised to be the centerpiece of the team this season. The son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas is the all-time leading scorer in the CIF Los Angeles City Section with 3,002 points in three seasons.
Jerry Easter II, G, 6-5: Easter was the No. 45 recruit in the 2025 class while at Link Academy. He was a two-time player of the year and McDonald’s All-American nominee, contributing 9.6 points, 3.3 defensive rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Patrick O’Brien, G, 6-5: O’Brien, another true freshman, led Cathedral Catholic High of Del Mar in three categories with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists as a senior. Cathedral reached the CIF Open Division playoffs twice in his high school career.
Ryan Cornish, G, 6-5: The Ivy League transfer reached double-digits in scoring in 25 out of his 27 games with Dartmouth last season and scored 1,014 points in his career with the Big Green.