Eric Musselman knew properly earlier than he took the reins at USC that recruiting the Southland and its wellspring of hoops expertise can be important to his success with the Trojans.
“We’ve got to recruit L.A.,” Musselman stated after a recreation in December. “And never simply recruit them slightly bit. We’ve got to recruit them relentlessly.”
That unrelenting strategy on the recruiting path had but to completely resonate till Thursday, when five-star Chatsworth guard Alijah Arenas, one of many high uncommitted prospects on this yr’s class, dedicated to the Trojans.
Arenas’ dedication marks the most important recruiting victory of the Musselman period, the primary five-star prospect to endorse the coach’s imaginative and prescient in L.A.
Arenas, the son of former NBA participant Gilbert Arenas, is the No. 10 recruit on this yr’s class and the second-ranked prospect within the state, in response to 247 Sports activities. He picked USC over Arizona, amongst different faculties.
“It felt like one of the best match,” Arenas stated whereas saying his dedication on his father’s podcast, “Gil’s Enviornment.” “Seeing what USC was like, it made me really feel particular.”
Arenas, a 6-foot-6 guard, was named to the McDonald’s All-American recreation this week after reclassifying to turn into a senior. He’s averaging 31.8 factors for Chatsworth in his third season for the Chancellors. The household determined to enroll him in a Metropolis Part public faculty quite than a non-public faculty within the hope it could assist him enhance as a pacesetter and participant dealing with double and triple groups.
Gilbert Arenas attended Grant Excessive and Arizona, so USC’s success in recruiting Alijah would possibly come as a shock contemplating his father’s Arizona ties.
Arenas provides USC a trio of prospects on this yr’s class, alongside top-50 guard Jerry Easter of Missouri and four-star St. John Bosco guard Elzie Harrington. They’ll be a part of a roster subsequent season that can look decidedly totally different. Greater than half the workforce could have exhausted its eligibility, making it much more vital that Musselman set up a foothold in Southern California.
With Arenas’ dedication, he’s heading in the right direction.