USC Adds Veteran Guard Kam Woods in Midseason Boost - And Possibly More Than That
USC men’s basketball just made a midseason move that could have ripple effects far beyond this season. The Trojans announced they’re adding Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods to the roster - a veteran guard with five college seasons under his belt and a résumé that suggests he’s far more than just injury insurance.
Let’s break down what this means for USC right now, and why Woods’ arrival could be a sign of bigger shifts coming to college basketball.
Woods’ Journey: A Well-Traveled Guard with Game
Kam Woods, 24, isn’t your average midseason pickup. His college career has taken him from Troy to Northwest Florida State College, then to NC State, Robert Morris, and now USC. That path alone tells you he’s been through the grind - but it’s what he did at Robert Morris last season that makes this addition intriguing.
Woods averaged 14.9 points and 5.2 assists per game for a Robert Morris squad that earned an NCAA Tournament bid and gave No. 2 seed Alabama a legitimate scare in the first round. He wasn’t just putting up empty numbers - he was leading a team on the big stage.
Now, he joins a USC backcourt that’s been hit hard by injuries, and he does so at a time when the Trojans need someone who can step in and contribute immediately.
Why USC Needs Him Now
The Trojans have been dealing with a depleted guard rotation. Rodney Rice is out for the season, Amarion Dickerson has been sidelined for months, and promising freshman Alijah Arenas isn’t expected back until at least January. That’s left head coach Eric Musselman searching for reliable options in the backcourt - and Woods might be the answer.
This isn’t a case of plugging in a body to eat minutes. Woods brings scoring, playmaking, and experience to a team that’s still very much in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth. With his proven ability to run an offense and create his own shot, he could become a key piece of USC’s rotation down the stretch.
The Eligibility Puzzle: How Can Woods Still Play?
Here’s where things get interesting. Woods has played five college seasons - which, under the old rules, would typically mean his eligibility clock has run out. But we’re not in the old world of college sports anymore.
First, his freshman year was the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season, which didn’t count against eligibility. Then there’s his 2021-22 season at Northwest Florida State College, a junior college stint that might not count either - especially after a recent court ruling involving a junior college football player, Diego Pavia. That case set a precedent that JUCO seasons may not impact NCAA eligibility.
Add to that the fact that Woods didn’t play a single minute during his first semester at NC State in 2022-23. If that semester is only considered a partial season, and if his upcoming time at USC this spring is also viewed as a half-season, there’s a scenario where Woods could have two full years of eligibility left after this one.
Yes, that’s right - Kam Woods could potentially play college basketball until he’s 26.
Immediate Impact - And Immediate Availability
Woods isn’t just eligible for the future - he’s eligible now. He could suit up as early as this weekend when USC plays UC Santa Cruz. And while he hasn’t officially enrolled at USC yet (that won’t happen until the spring semester), the timing of the academic calendar means he’s cleared to practice and play.
It’s a bit of a gray area - USC’s fall semester just ended, and the spring hasn’t technically begun - but it’s similar to how some football players at schools on the quarter system can play in bowl games before attending a single class. The rules are evolving, and Woods is stepping right into that evolution.
More Than a Rental?
If Woods thrives in this role, there’s every reason to believe USC might not be a short-term stop. Eric Musselman has struggled to retain scholarship players since taking over - only two have stuck around from season to season. If Woods finds a groove in L.A., he could become a foundational piece of the culture Musselman is trying to build.
This isn’t just about filling a roster spot. This is about adding a proven scorer who could help shape the identity of a team - and maybe even a program.
A New Trend in the Making?
Woods’ arrival midseason raises a bigger question: Could this become a trend?
He’s not a depth piece. He was the go-to guy at Robert Morris, outscoring even his former teammate Amarion Dickerson, who was playing a key role for USC before his injury. If Woods makes a meaningful impact in conference play or helps USC during a March run, you can bet other programs will take note.
Could we start seeing more players wait out the fall, bypass the early-season chaos, and join high-level programs in January? If you're a veteran player with eligibility left and you don’t love your portal options in the summer, why not wait for a contender with a need?
Woods may not be the first to transfer midseason, but he could be the most impactful - and the one who opens the door for others to follow.
Final Word
Kam Woods’ addition is timely, but it might also be transformative. For USC, he offers much-needed help in a thinned-out backcourt. For college basketball, he represents the growing fluidity of eligibility rules, roster flexibility, and the transfer portal era.
Welcome to the Muss Bus, Kam Woods. It’s going to be fascinating to see where this ride takes you - and how many others might hop on board.