Helena Frye
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has a rich history, with an all-time record of 1,500–1,097 and notable achievements including 14 league championships, 16 NCAA tournament appearances, and two Final Four appearances. The team has had its fair share of wins and losses over the years, with standout seasons like 1910 and 1971, where they were ranked fifth in the nation. The Trojans have also produced many NBA players, including Paul Westphal and Gus Williams. In recent years, the team has continued to find success, with a win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2025 and a double-overtime victory over Rutgers in the Big Ten tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Head Coach | Eric Musselman |
| Previous Head Coach | Andy Enfield |
| Intercollegiate Basketball Game Win | 18-15 against Occidental College |
| First NCAA Tournament Win | 81-79 against Oregon in 1961 |
| All-Time Record | 1,500–1,097 |
| League Championships | 14 |
| Conference Tournament Title | 1 |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 16 |
| Sweet Sixteen Appearances | 5 |
| Elite Eight Appearances | 4 |
| Final Four Appearances | 2 |
| Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coaches | Sam Barry, Jack Gardner, Alex Hannum, Tex Winter, and Bill Sharman |
| Recent Wins | 97-89 against Rutgers, 99-89 against Iowa Hawkeyes |
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What You'll Learn
- The USC Trojans men's basketball team has a rich history, with notable wins and appearances in the NCAA Tournament
- The team has produced many NBA players, including Nick Young, Taj Gibson, and Gabe Pruitt
- The Trojans have an impressive record of 1,500–1,097 in intercollegiate basketball games
- The team has had its fair share of controversies, including allegations of improper benefits received by former player O.J. Mayo
- The USC men's basketball team also prioritises sustainability, with initiatives like the annual zero-waste green game
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has a rich history, with notable wins and appearances in the NCAA Tournament
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has a long and illustrious history, with many notable achievements. The team first took to the court in 1907, playing their inaugural intercollegiate basketball game against Occidental College, winning 18-15. This was the first intercollegiate basketball game of its kind in Southern California.
Since then, the Trojans have gone on to achieve notable success, with an impressive all-time record of 1,500-1,097 in intercollegiate basketball games. They have also produced 25 All-Americans, won 14 league championships, and made 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including two Final Four appearances.
The Trojans have had some standout seasons over the years. In 1971, the team went 24-2 and was ranked fifth in the nation, with USC ranked first at midseason. This team is considered one of the best in the program's history. The Trojans also had a strong season in 2007, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, led by future NBA players Nick Young, Taj Gibson, and Gabe Pruitt.
The Trojans have continued to be a force in recent years, with a double-overtime victory over Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament in 2025 and a "green game" victory against the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2025, showcasing the university's commitment to sustainability.
The team has been led by several notable coaches, including Sam Barry, who started the program in 1940, and more recently, Henry Bibby, who led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including an "Elite Eight" appearance in 2001. The current head coach is Eric Musselman, who took over after Andy Enfield's decade-long tenure from 2013 to 2024.
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The team has produced many NBA players, including Nick Young, Taj Gibson, and Gabe Pruitt
The USC Men's Basketball team has a rich history of success, with numerous wins and talented players over the years. One of their notable achievements is the number of players who have gone on to successful careers in the NBA. Among these players are Nick Young, Taj Gibson, and Gabe Pruitt, who all made their mark at USC before shining in the NBA.
Nick Young, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound junior swingman, played for the USC Trojans in 2007. He was an incredibly well-rounded player, known for his athletic prowess, scoring ability, and solid defence. During his sophomore year, Young had an impressive season, leading the team in scoring (17.3) and rebounds per game (6.6). This performance earned him team MVP honours and a spot on the All-Pac-10 first team. Young consistently delivered, scoring in double figures in 29 out of 30 games. He also demonstrated his ability to rebound, with 13 games of five or more rebounds, leading the team in this category five times.
Taj Gibson, born on June 24, 1985, in Brooklyn, New York, also had a standout career at USC. During his freshman year, he set impressive records, including the freshman rebound record with 321 rebounds and the freshman blocks record with 69 blocks. Gibson ranked highly across other categories as well, placing first in free throws attempted, third in free throws made, fourth in points, and tied for fourth in field goal percentage. He was selected for the Pac-10 Conference All-Tournament team, showcasing his all-around talent.
Gabe Pruitt, often referred to by his nickname "Smilin' Gabe," attended USC and established himself as a talented player. During the 2004-05 season, Pruitt shared the team co-MVP honours with Nick Young. Their freshman performances were exceptional, with both players putting together two of the best freshman seasons in Trojan basketball history. Pruitt's impact at USC was significant, and he went on to have a successful NBA career.
These three players exemplify the calibre of talent that the USC Men's Basketball programme has produced over the years. Nick Young, Taj Gibson, and Gabe Pruitt not only contributed to USC's success but also excelled in the NBA, showcasing the impact of USC's basketball programme on the professional league.
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The Trojans have an impressive record of 1,500–1,097 in intercollegiate basketball games
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has a rich history of success, as evidenced by their impressive record in intercollegiate basketball games. With 1,500 wins and 1,097 losses, they have consistently performed well and established themselves as a formidable force in college basketball.
The Trojans' basketball journey began over a century ago, with their first official game taking place on January 16, 1907, marking the debut of intercollegiate basketball in Southern California. They defeated Occidental College 18-15 in this historic game. The program has since grown in stature, achieving notable accomplishments along the way.
The Trojans compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and are members of the prestigious Big Ten Conference, alongside other prominent universities. This competitive conference provides a platform for the Trojans to test themselves against some of the best teams in the nation.
The Trojans have an impressive list of accolades to their name. They have produced 25 All-Americans, players who have excelled and gained national recognition for their exceptional performances. Additionally, they have won 14 league championships, showcasing their dominance within their conference. They also hold the distinction of reaching the Sweet Sixteen five times, the Elite Eight on four occasions, and the Final Four twice, reflecting their ability to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament.
The impact of the Trojans extends beyond their win-loss record. Head coaches and players associated with the program have left their mark on the sport. Sam Barry, a renowned coach, and four of his players—Jack Gardner, Alex Hannum, Tex Winter, and Bill Sharman—have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as coaches. Sharman was also inducted as a player, highlighting the program's ability to nurture and develop exceptional talent.
The Trojans' success has continued in recent years, with notable wins and appearances in national tournaments. Their record of 1,500–1,097 in intercollegiate basketball games is a testament to their consistent excellence, and they continue to strive for more as they add to their impressive basketball legacy.
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The team has had its fair share of controversies, including allegations of improper benefits received by former player O.J. Mayo
The USC Trojans men's basketball team has had several controversies over the years, including allegations of improper benefits received by former player O.J. Mayo. Mayo, a highly touted high school recruit, enrolled at USC in the summer of 2007 and played for the Trojans during the 2007-2008 season.
In 2008, allegations surfaced that Mayo had received improper benefits during his time at USC. The allegations were made by Mayo's former "confidant", Louis Johnson, who claimed that Mayo received money, clothes, and other gifts from Los Angeles events promoter Rodney Guillory. Johnson also alleged that then-USC coach Tim Floyd was involved in delivering money to Guillory.
The University conducted an internal investigation and concluded in January 2010 that Mayo had indeed received improper benefits, and that coach Floyd was an active participant. As a result, USC declared Mayo ineligible for the 2007-2008 season and vacated all 21 regular-season wins from that season. The NCAA also combined its investigations of Mayo and former USC running back Reggie Bush, who was also implicated in a similar scandal. Both athletes were found guilty of illegally accepting gifts and forfeited their amateur status, resulting in the removal of any trace of their involvement with USC.
The controversy surrounding Mayo and the improper benefits he received while at USC is not an isolated incident. The university and its athletic department have faced criticism and investigations into potential NCAA violations, as well as a history of controversies involving other high-profile athletes. Mayo, for his part, went on to have a successful NBA career, playing for several teams before being banned from the league in 2016 for violating the league's anti-drug program.
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The USC men's basketball team also prioritises sustainability, with initiatives like the annual zero-waste green game
The USC men's basketball team, officially known as the USC Trojans, has a rich history of success in college basketball, with numerous notable wins and impressive records. The team competes in the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and has an impressive all-time record, boasting numerous accolades, including league championships, NCAA tournament appearances, and even Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees.
While the team's performance on the court is impressive, they also prioritise sustainability and are committed to reducing waste. This commitment is evident through their annual zero-waste "green game," an initiative that showcases USC's efforts and dedication to environmental consciousness.
The "green game" is a dedicated fixture in the team's calendar, where the spotlight is on both the basketball talent and the university's sustainability initiatives. During this event, the team's usual practices are enhanced with a focus on waste reduction through reuse, recycling, and composting. The Galen Center, where the game takes place, embraces this initiative with specialty trash bins, informative signage, and sustainable materials used at concession stands, all contributing to a more environmentally friendly experience.
The zero-waste "green game" is more than just a symbolic gesture; it is a practical demonstration of USC's broader sustainability goals. The university's participation in the PAC-12 Conference's "Zero Waste Challenge" further underscores its commitment. Since 2016, PAC-12 schools have been competing to host the most successful zero-waste home games during the basketball and football seasons. USC's "green game" is, therefore, part of a wider movement within collegiate sports to promote environmental stewardship and encourage sustainable practices among students, athletes, and fans alike.
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Frequently asked questions
The USC Men's Basketball team is called the Trojans.
The first official game of USC basketball was played on December 6, 1907, with the freshman team defeating the sophomores 25-2. USC hosted its debut intercollegiate basketball game on January 16, 1907, defeating Occidental College 18-15.
Eric Musselman is the current head coach of the USC Men's Basketball team.
The USC Trojans have made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Final Four appearances.
Yes, USC has won multiple NCAA Tournament games. They defeated Oregon in the 1961 NCAA Tournament and Utah State in the 1979 NCAA Tournament.
