Hello everybody. College basketball rosters have the look of a drunk game of Yahtzee these days, so we will take a moment to try and figure out who is on your team. With the ever changing eligibility rules, I’d rather move used refrigerators, so keep in mind the sacrifices I’m making for our readers.
USC
Shot Into the Sun: This is no time for continuity. B10 Crime has claimed Desmond Claude, who moved north to Washington. Joining him was last year’s freshman sensation Wesley Yates. That might make for some spicy Not Pac 10 games this year.
Also leaving are Chibuzo Agbu (eligibility), Rashaun Agee (TAMU), Josh Cohen (eligibility), Saint Thomas (eligibility), Matt Knowling (eligibility), Clark Slajchert (eligibility), Kevin Patton (New Mexico), Bryce Pope (eligibility), Jalen Shelley (Loyola Marymount), and Isaiah Elohim (Florida Atlantic).
Still Standing: Terrence Williams is apparently coming back for a sixth year. Traveler the Horse bargained for a Bojack Horseman style Netflix special and will return.
Hi Everybody I’m New Here: Some familiar names, just not familiar in the SoCal sense. USC poached guard Rodney Rice from the Maryland wreckage and elder statesman Chad Baker-Mazara from Auburn. Big man Ezra Ausar comes over from Utah and will compete with Jacob Cofie from Virginia and Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State). The guard spots are rounded out by Jordan Marsh (UNC Asheville) and Ryan Cornish (Dartmouth). Other newbies are forwards Amarion Dickerson (Robert Morris) and Jaden Brownell (Samford).
A couple freshmen this year. The big pull is five star guard Alijah Arenas, son of Gilbert. He figures to get a long look as a starter. Four star guard Jerry Easter might also get some minutes.
UCLA
Shot Into the Sun: Hey, this won’t be five pages. It appears eligibility has claimed Kobe Johnson and Lazar Stefanovic. The portal has come for Aday Mara (Auburn North), Sebastian Mack (Mizzou), Dylan Andrews (Boise State), William Kyle (Syracuse), Devin Williams (Florida Atlantic), and Dominick Harris (Loyola).
Still Standing: Hey, the Mick has some live bodies here. Well traveled guard Skyy Clark remains in town, as does do everything creole Tyler Bilodeau. Wing Eric Dailey returns as does guard Trent Perry. Eric Freeny redshirted last year so comes in still as a freshman.
Hi Everybody I’m New Here: The portal giveth a big fish in Mountain West POTY Donovan Dent, who comes over from New Mexico. Joining him is familiar name Xavier Booker, the former five star benchwarmer of MSU. Also portaling in is center Steven Jamerson (San Diego), forward Jamar Brown (Missouri-KC), and big Anthony Peoples (NC Central).