USC’s roster makeover for 2026-27 has a lot of moving parts, but the piece that could matter most is KJ Lewis.
That’s saying something on a team that has stacked up talent in a hurry. Eric Musselman’s group has been trying to climb out of a rough start in the Big Ten, where USC has finished 12th in each of its first two seasons in the league. Now the Trojans are banking on a new mix of returners, freshmen and transfers to finally push things in the right direction.
The foundation starts with some key holdovers. Rodney Rice is back healthy to handle the point after last season was cut short after just six games.
Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie also return after strong underclassman showings. On top of that, five-star forward Christian Collins is in the mix, and USC has added size with the 7-foot Ratliff twins, both four-star centers.
The portal haul is loaded with scoring options, too. Isaac Bruns comes in from South Dakota, Jalen Cox arrives from Colgate, and Eric Reibe gives the Trojans another 7-footer after spending last season at UConn as a former Top 50 prospect. Still, the biggest transfer addition may be Lewis, a 6-4 guard from El Paso who is now at his third Division I stop.
Lewis began at Arizona, where he spent two seasons coming off the bench, then moved to Georgetown and took off. As a starter for the Hoyas, he averaged 14.9 points and 5.1 rebounds after already scoring in double figures as a sophomore with Arizona.
What makes Lewis so important for USC is the level he’s already shown he can reach. He’s played in the Big 12 and the Big East and proven he can create at a high level, which gives him a different resume than some of the other new faces in the backcourt.
Bruns and Cox bring promise, but they did it in the Summit League and Patriot League. Lewis, meanwhile, has already been tested against stronger competition and ranked among the top players available in the portal.
For Musselman, that matters. USC has added pieces all over the floor and has plenty of upside, especially with all that frontcourt size.
But the Trojans’ ceiling may come down to how Rice and Lewis work together in the backcourt. If both are rolling, that could end up being one of the most productive guard duos in the country.
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