Injuries have been the headline story for USC men’s basketball this season, and not in a good way. The Trojans have been navigating choppy waters with key players sidelined, including five-star freshman Alijah Arenas, who has yet to make his debut. And now, they've taken another hit-Maryland transfer Rodney Rice is officially out for the year with a shoulder injury.
That’s a tough blow for a team already stretched thin. But head coach Eric Musselman isn’t one to sit back and let the season slip away.
After Sunday’s win over Washington State, he hinted that USC might look to add reinforcements midseason. And now, that move is official: the Trojans have brought in veteran guard Kam Woods, a transfer from Robert Morris who will be eligible to play right away.
Woods brings experience-and plenty of it. USC will be his sixth stop in six seasons of college basketball.
That kind of journey isn’t typical, but it also speaks to his resilience and adaptability. Most recently, he helped lead Robert Morris to the NCAA Tournament, showcasing his ability to contribute in high-stakes moments.
After entering the transfer portal post-tournament, Woods didn’t land with another program-until now. With the Trojans in need of depth and backcourt help, the timing lined up.
There’s also a connection already in place. Woods played alongside Amarion Dickerson at Robert Morris last season.
Dickerson made the move to USC in the offseason and has seen action in eight games so far this year. That familiarity could help Woods get up to speed quickly in a new system, especially with conference play looming.
The immediate task for USC is wrapping up their nonconference schedule. They’ll take on UC Santa Cruz on Sunday afternoon, a final tune-up before diving back into Big Ten action in early January.
And it won’t be an easy re-entry. Road games against Michigan, Michigan State, and Minnesota await-a stretch that will test this team’s depth, chemistry, and resilience.
With Woods now in the fold, USC is hoping he can provide a spark-both as a steady hand and a scorer who knows what it takes to win. In a season where injuries have forced constant adjustments, the Trojans are betting that experience and timing might be just enough to steady the ship.