The 6-foot-5 freshman, who showcased gradual development in an up-and-down season, leaves the Trojans with a gaping hole.
USC’s Isaiah Collier warms up prior to the game against Long Beach State on Dec. 10, 2023, at the Galen Center. LOS ANGELES — As the USC Song Girls and student band marched into the Galen Center last Friday, new men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman welcomed to campus by a steady drumline and the arresting swells from a handful of trumpets, just one player stood in the back of a room of donors and department employees.
It stoked a spark that Collier could form the hard-nosed attack of Musselman’s first USC program upon the Trojans’ entry to the Big Ten Conference. But on Wednesday, USC confirmed in a Twitter announcement that Collier had declared for the draft after all, a 6-foot-5 lead guard with ready-made size and frame for the next level.
After returning from a hand injury, he displayed much-improved poise in crucial moments, flashing a steadier jumper and a more measured approach as USC went on a surge. Over his last 11 games, Collier averaged 4.5 assists against 2.8 turnovers, adding 17.6 points on 37.5% shooting from 3-point range.
His departure leaves USC with just one confirmed returning player – junior Harrison Hornery – and one unknown piece in freshman Brandon Gardner, a former commit out of New York who medically redshirted his freshman year. Musselman had already reeled in 6-10 UMass transfer Josh Cohen, and might have found a starting guard Wednesday in Penn transfer Clark Slajchert, a 6-1 sharpshooter who averaged 18 points per game and shot 42% from behind the arc.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
USC's Isaiah Collier reportedly declares for the NBA draftEven before Eric Musselman was hired as USC's new coach, Isaiah Collier's return seemed unlikely as he was projected as a first-round draft pick.
Read more »
Isaiah Collier headed to NBA draft after freshman season at USCUniversity of Southern California Trojans freshman point guard Isaiah Collier, No. 10 on ESPN's Top 100, will enter the 2024 NBA Draft, he told ESPN on Wednesday.
Read more »
Highly-touted Georgia defensive linemen Justus Terry and Isaiah Gibson commit to USCThe Trojans made a big-time splash in the recruiting landscape this weekend, led in large part by the efforts of new DL coach Eric Henderson.
Read more »
USC’s Kobe Johnson entering transfer portal, will test NBA draftThe Trojans will be losing their team captain and two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection in what could be one of several departures this offseason
Read more »
USC's Bronny James declares for NBA draft and enters transfer portal after 1 seasonAlso, should the Spurs consider trading up in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Read more »
USC's Bronny James declares for NBA draft and enters transfer portal after 1 seasonAlso, should the Spurs consider trading up in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Read more »