It’s no surprise that times have changed in college basketball. With the ushering in of the NIL era, the entire college landscape has evolved. The UCLA Bruins are feeling this adjustment as they’re being surpassed in recruiting by the rival USC Trojans.
USC is stacking one five-star recruit after another
The Trojans’ men’s basketball team added five-star recruit Christian Collins on Wednesday after USC’s women’s basketball team landed a recruit from five-star Sara Okeke. 247 Sports has Collins as the No. 9 player in the 2026 class in their composite rankings while Okeke is No. 11 on the women’s side.
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Trojans women’s basketball is building a juggernaut
USC’s women’s basketball will now have three five-star recruits, including the No. 1 player in the class, entering the program, which already has JuJu Watkins and Jazzy Davidson on board. Cori Close has plenty of spots to fill this offseason, but it’ll be hard for her to top Lindsay Gottlieb and the Trojans.
These additions will lead to wins
The men’s Trojans team has two incoming five stars, with Collins being joined by 7’0” center Adonis Ratliff. USC’s improved recruiting hasn’t led to any national titles in the NIL era, but it’s only a matter of time before the Trojans collect enough talent to make a national title inevitable.
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How will UCLA bounce back on the recruiting trail?
Basketball is UCLA’s sport, at least in terms of their rivalry with the Trojans but USC has spent the resources to change that dynamic. The Bruins won’t want to get comfortable losing recruits to their crosstown rivals but it will take an increased NIL effort to change the current landscape.
UCLA shouldn’t be pleased with USC’s recruiting success
Eric Musselman still has to prove that USC is capable of making a deep run in March but with Watkins returning next season and both UConn and UCLA losing talent, the Trojans’ women’s team could very well enter next season as the favorite to bring home the NCAA title.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: USC the basketball school? Trojans land even more five-star recruits
