USC men's basketball faced a challenging season, with high hopes dashed by injuries and a tough finish. The Trojans missed the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year, despite the buzz around new recruits like Chad Baker-Mazara, Rodney Rice, and Alijah Arenas.
Yet, there's a silver lining for USC fans. The Trojans continue to excel in recruiting, recently securing a commitment from Christian Collins, a five-star 2026 recruit.
Collins, a standout from St. John Bosco High School in Southern California, is ranked as the No. 5 player in his class by Rivals.
He chose USC over powerhouse programs like Kentucky and Louisville.
Collins joins fellow five-star recruits, twins Adonis and Darius Ratliff, in what is shaping up to be an impressive 2026 class for the Trojans. If USC can retain key players like Rice and Arenas from this year's roster, they could be poised for a significant turnaround in the 2026-2027 season.