USC Basketball Rebuilds Roster With New Transfers and Freshmen

The University of Southern California men's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with a roster that has undergone substantial changes, combining three returning veterans with a slate of new transfers and freshmen. Head coach Eric Musselman, in his third year, noted that while the group is learning, the players are eager contributors.

Musselman stated that coaching freshmen is enjoyable because they are willing learners, and he expressed satisfaction with Alijah Arenas' development since last year. He identified injuries as the most challenging aspect of the current buildup, saying the team is inching closer to being whole.

Five players departed the program after the 2025-26 campaign. Ezra Ausar, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 14.8 points and 6.5 rebounds, signed with the Miami Heat on October 15. Chad Baker-Mazara, who shot 44.4 percent from the field, was dismissed on March 1 and is now suing the university and Musselman over his NIL contract. Jerry Easter II transferred to Oregon, while Jordan Marsh moved to Temple. Kam Woods, who started 17 of his 20 games last season, also left the roster.

Three key players returned to the Trojans. Alijah Arenas, a 6-foot-7 guard, averaged 14.1 points in his freshman year after missing the first 18 games with a torn meniscus. Jacob Cofie, a 6-foot-10 forward, returned from the NBA draft pool after averaging 1.75 blocks per game, a ranking of No. 41 nationally. Rodney Rice, a 6-foot-5 guard, missed most of last season with a shoulder injury but averaged 20.3 points in the six games he played.

The team added several transfers to bolster its depth. Isaac Bruns, a 6-foot-5 guard from South Dakota, led the NCAA in free throws made before a foot injury ended his season. Jalen Cox, a senior from Colgate, was a first-team All-Patriot League selection who averaged 5.3 assists. Joshua Hughes, a 6-foot-10 forward from Evansville, started all 32 games last season. Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, a junior from Hawai'i, ranks second in the Big West for assist-to-turnover ratio. KJ Lewis, a 6-foot-4 guard from Georgetown, was the Hoyas' leading scorer with 14.9 points per game.

The roster also includes international and high-profile domestic recruits. Onyeka Joe Agu, a 6-foot-10 center from Belgium, averaged 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in the BNXT League. Jadis Jones, a 6-foot-5 guard from Lindenwood, averaged 15.3 points and 8.5 rebounds last season. Christian Collins, a 6-foot-9 five-star recruit from St. John Bosco, is dealing with a foot injury and will have a delayed start. Adonis Ratliff, a 6-foot-11 forward and son of NBA All-Star Theo Ratliff, was a McDonald's All-American who averaged 12.3 points and 8.7 rebounds at Archbishop Stepinac High School.

His twin brother, Darius Ratliff, is a 7-foot center who was also a McDonald's All-American, averaging 9.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in high school. Eric Reibe, a 7-foot-1 center from UConn, played in every game for the NCAA runner-up last season. Reibe shot 65.8 percent from the field and is currently out with a foot injury, with a return expected in January.

The new guard group includes Jalen Cox, who prepped at Loyola High and was named to the All-Defensive Team. The forward group features Adonis Ratliff, ranked No. 22 in his class by ESPN. The center group includes Darius Ratliff, ranked No. 31 in his class. The team will begin its season with this expanded group, aiming to integrate the new arrivals with the returning core.