Alijah Arenas' decision to return to the USC Trojans for the 2026-27 season is lighting up the college basketball scene. The young guard, son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, is already generating buzz as a top prospect for the 2027 NBA Draft. With his potential to follow in his father's illustrious footsteps, Arenas is a name to watch.
The 2026 NBA Draft may have just wrapped up, but eyes are already turning towards 2027, with Arenas projected to be a standout contender. Trojan fans are eagerly hoping this season will mark USC's return to the NCAA Tournament after a four-year hiatus. According to CBS Sports' early 2027 NBA Mock Draft, Arenas is pegged to go seventh overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder, potentially adding another rising star to their roster.
The upcoming college basketball season is set to feature some notable talents, with Arenas joining the ranks of Kansas forward Tyran Stokes, Alabama guard Amari Allen, Arizona guard Caleb Holt, UConn guard Braylon Mullins, and Florida forward Thomas Haugh, all projected to be top picks.
Arenas' freshman year was a rollercoaster. After a severe car accident and a torn meniscus in 2025, questions loomed about his ability to play.
Yet, Arenas defied the odds, debuting for the Trojans in mid-January. In just 14 games, he showcased his five-star recruit potential, averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
He hit the 20-point mark in four games, including a standout 29-point performance in a win over the Indiana Hoosiers.
As the Trojans gear up for the new season, Arenas is focused on refining his shooting. Last season, he shot 34.1 percent from the field, a number he's determined to improve. With the typical freshman hurdles behind him, Arenas aims to elevate his shooting percentage and overall shot creation in his sophomore year.
Adding to the Trojans' excitement is the return of another key player, guard Rodney Rice. Like Arenas, Rice faced his own challenges, missing much of his first season due to a shoulder injury. In his brief six-game stint, the former Maryland Terrapins guard averaged an impressive 20.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game.
With both Arenas and Rice healthy and ready to hit the court together for the first time, USC's backcourt is poised to be a force in the Big Ten. A strong backcourt is crucial in college basketball, and the duo's dynamic play could be the catalyst for a successful season, potentially leading the Trojans not only to the tournament but deep into March Madness.
The anticipation is palpable as USC looks to make waves in the upcoming season, with Arenas and Rice at the helm of what could be a thrilling journey for the Trojans.
In Other News...
Indiana Just Lost Another Experienced Arm To The Portal
USC kept adding to its pitching mix this offseason with another veteran arm, a move that should matter for a staff looking to keep building on back-to-back NCAA Tournament trips. The Trojans are trying to push deeper in 2027, and experience has been a clear priority as they piece together a roster that can handle the grind of a full season and give them more options on the mound.
Anthony Gubitosi arrives after stops at Delaware and Indiana, giving USC a left-handed option with a lot of college baseball behind him already. He spent last season in Indianas bullpen, where he was used in a limited role, and now gets a fresh start in Los Angeles for his fifth collegiate season as the Trojans continue to reshape the pitching staff. [Read more 🡒]
USC Freshman Elbert Hill Is Already Testing A Familiar Trojans Narrative
USC spent plenty of energy building out its cornerback future in the 2026 cycle, and Elbert Rock Hill is already looking like the most interesting piece of that plan. The freshman arrived with the kind of reputation that makes coaches pay attention, and he has backed it up quickly in spring practice, where his athleticism and knack for making plays have stood out in a crowded defensive backs room.
That room is no soft landing, either, with veterans and other highly regarded recruits all pushing for snaps when the season arrives. Still, USC has not hidden its preference for getting freshmen on the field early rather than parking them for a redshirt year, and Hills fast start is giving the program another familiar Trojans storyline to monitor: whether a gifted young corner can force his way into the rotation sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
USCs 2026 Schedule Has An Uncomfortable Transfer Portal Twist
USCs 2026 football schedule already had the usual road-test intrigue, but it comes with an added layer of familiarity that will make a few Saturdays feel a little more personal. Several former Trojans are set to show up on the other sideline, creating a tour of recent roster departures that stretches across the fall and turns nonconference and Big Ten games into reunion opportunities.
The list includes Deijon Laffitte and Gino Quinones with Fresno State, Bear Alexander with Oregon, Kade Eldridge with Washington, Bryan Jackson with Wisconsin and Harry Dalton III with Maryland. For USC, it is the kind of reminder that the transfer portal can reshape a roster quickly, and also the kind of schedule wrinkle that can leave an old fan favorite or two in line for an awkward welcome back. [Read more 🡒]