Alijah Arenas Returns to USC, Boosting Trojans’ 2026–27 Expectations

USC received a significant boost for its future roster construction on Tuesday, as star guard Alijah Arenas announced his return to the program for the 2026–27 college basketball season.

The decision keeps the former five-star recruit and son of ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas in Los Angeles for at least another year, providing continuity for a USC team in transition under head coach Eric Musselman.

The announcement was made publicly by the program on social media, signaling clarity on a player whose future had briefly been uncertain amid NBA Draft speculation.

For USC, the return of one of its most productive young players represents an important step in reshaping a roster that is expected to look significantly different next season.

1. Draft Consideration and Early Career Impact

Arenas had briefly explored the possibility of entering the 2026 NBA Draft, but ultimately withdrew his name, signaling his intent to continue developing at the collegiate level. Despite that exploration, he never entered the NCAA transfer portal, which had already indicated a strong likelihood of his return to USC before the official announcement was made. The program confirmed his decision with a social media post that reflected both confidence and excitement about his continued development within the system. His return provides stability for a roster that has undergone considerable turnover and now leans more heavily on younger core contributors.

2. On-Court Production and Role Expansion

During his freshman season, Arenas emerged as one of USC’s most reliable scoring options, finishing third on the team in scoring with an average of 14.1 points per game. He also contributed 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest, showing versatility as both a scorer and secondary playmaker in limited action. Arenas appeared in 14 games, starting 13 of them, and finished the season strong by taking on a larger offensive role down the stretch. His late-season development positioned him as a central piece of USC’s offensive identity heading into his sophomore year, particularly as the roster undergoes significant changes.

3. Roster Changes and Program Outlook

USC is set to rely more heavily on Arenas following the departure of several key contributors, including Chad Baker-Mazara, Ezra Ausar, Kam Woods, and Jordan Marsh. In response, the program has retooled around a mix of returning talent and transfer additions, including former Georgetown guard K.J. Lewis and UConn transfer center Eric Reibe. The Trojans will also retain key contributors Rodney Rice and Jacob Cofie while welcoming one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, headlined by five-star forward Christian Collins. Despite recent struggles since joining the Big Ten and missing the NCAA Tournament since 2023, USC enters the 2026–27 season with heightened expectations, placing added pressure on Eric Musselman and his revamped roster to deliver results.