USC Trojans Add Versatile Transfer Guard Ryan Cornish: Class Ranking Soars

Cornish visited the Tennessee Volunteers earlier in the week, ultimately choosing to join Musselman and the Trojans instead. 

“Ryan is a combo guard that can give us versatility at both guard spots,” Musselman told ESPN. “He is a proven scorer who can knock down the 3-ball, but he also does an excellent job of drawing free throw attempts.”

In the 2024-2025 season, Cornish had 145 free throw attempts, finishing the season with a 74.5 free throw percentage. Cornish will likely be a depth piece for the Trojans, but with the number of players USC lost following the season, depth will be crucial.

The commitment comes at a big time for USC, as the Trojans received a commitment from High Point transfer guard Kezza Giffa one week prior. In less than two days, Giffa instead chose to join the Ole Miss Rebels. This leaves the Trojans likely to add one more portal addition.

With Giffa no longer committed, Cornish is the ninth player Musselman and the Trojans have picked up through the portal. The shooting guard will be joining former forward Jacob Cofie, wing Amarion Dickerson, forward Jaden Brownell, center Gabe Dynes, forward Ezra Ausar, guard Rodney Rice, guard Chad Baker-Mazara, and guard Jordan Marsh.

USC still has strong momentum in the portal as Rice, Marsh, Baker-Mazara and Cofie were big pickups. 

In addition to the portal additions, USC has two committed players from the recruiting class of 2025. The two incoming freshmen are five-star shooting guard Alijah Arenas and four-star combo guard Jerry Easter. The USC recruiting class of 2025 ranks No. 5 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten, per On3.

The Trojans lost six players to the transfer portal including leading scorer, guard Desmond Claude. Claude averaged 15.8 points last season and helped lead the team to big wins. In addition to Claude, guard Wesley Yates III and forward Rashaun Agee entered the portal as well. Guard Chibuzo Agbo and forward Saint Thomas are out of eligibility. 

USC finished the season with a 17-18 overall record, going 7-13 in Big Ten conference play, nearly missing out on the Big Ten Tournament. Musselman’s squad walked away with one win in the tournament, defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, followed by a loss against the Purdue Boilermakers. 

With the added depth in the portal and bringing in potential starters, USC is looking to improve on last season and make a deeper postseason run. 

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