Latest news with #DesmondClaude
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC basketball, as expected, gets shut out at 2025 NBA draft
After a disappointing debut season in the Big Ten, the USC Trojans failed to have any players hear their name called the last two days at the 205 NBA draft. Instead of having their top players getting drafted, the Trojans had top players hit the transfer portal. Last season's leading scorer Desmond Claude hit the portal and committed to Washington two weeks ago. This isn't the first time this has happened. It marks the second time in the last seven years a Trojan has not been drafted. This occurrence still goes against the standard for USC. The Trojans, within the last 10 years since the 2015 NBA draft, have had the fifth-most selections of any team in the country. Some of the notable names that have been drafted in that 10-year period include Isaiah Collier, the promising role player for the Utah Jazz; Bronny James, the son of Lebron James; and this season's NBA Defensive Player of the Year, No. 3 pick (2021) Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers. USC currently sits in eighth place for the most active players in the NBA. Taking a step back and having a year in which no Trojans are featured anywhere near the top 100 prospects in a draft class is less than ideal. With this year's promising upcoming class featuring talented freshman guard Alijah Arenas, the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, the Trojans should be back to business as usual, supplying the NBA with talent. Alijah Arenas will also look to help the USC Trojans make their presence felt in the Big Ten this upcoming season.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former USC guard Desmond Claude commits to Washington
Former USC guard Desmond Claude commits to Washington Back in April, USC men's basketball star guard Desmond Claude made headlines when he surprisingly entered the transfer portal. On Sunday, Claude found a new home: He is headed to the Pacific Northwest to join Big Ten foe Washington. Claude is not the first Trojan transfer to depart for the Huskies this offseason. In May, Washington hired away USC assistant coach Quincy Pondexter. Shortly following that move, another high-profile Trojan transfer, Wesley Yates III, also announced his commitment to the Huskies. Here is what Huskies Wire had to say about the addition of Claude: 'As the Huskies scoured the country for a seasoned, high-impact wing to round out the rotation, the 6-foot-6 senior, who was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention for the 2024-25 season, is the perfect fit. Although he shot just 30.7 percent from long range last season, which has been one of Sprinkle's biggest points of emphasis throughout the offseason, Claude led the Trojans with an average of 15.8 points and 4.2 assists per game, adding 3.5 rebounds per contest while bringing several much-needed aspects to the roster.' With Claude and Yates both departing Southern California for Seattle, next season's matchups between USC and Washington should certainly be interesting. The Trojans and Huskies are slated to face off twice next season—once at Galen Center, and once in the Pacific Northwest.
Reuters
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Top USC scorer Desmond Claude transfers to Washington
June 9 - Senior guard Desmond Claude, who led Southern California in scoring last season, said Sunday that he will be joining the Washington program. The 6-foot-6 Claude averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 33 games (32 starts) last season. He reportedly chose the Huskies over Alabama and Gonzaga. Claude announced his decision on Instagram. "After a long and thorough process of evaluating each school recruiting me, I have decided to sign at the University of Washington," Claude wrote. "I am a firm believer with the recruiting class coming in and the returning players, we can compete with the very best, which was very important to me. "I am excited to get to work with my new teammates and staff in Seattle Husky. Go Dawgs!!" The decision by Claude means both of USC's top two players transferred to Washington. Wesley Yates, who was second with a 14.1 scoring average and shot a stellar 43.9 percent from 3-point range as a freshman last season, announced his move to the Huskies in April. Last season was Claude's only one with the Trojans. He played his first two seasons at Xavier and enjoyed a breakout season in 2023-24 when he averaged 16.6 points and was named Big East Most Improved Player. Washington (13-18, 4-16 Big Ten) finished last in the 18-team Big Ten last season under first-year coach Danny Sprinkle. --Field Level Media
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama to reportedly host one of top players available in transfer portal
Alabama to reportedly host one of top players available in transfer portal With only a few spots remaining to fill out the roster, the Alabama Crimson Tide are reportedly set to host one of the top basketball players available in the transfer portal, Desmond Claude, for a visit starting this upcoming Sunday. The visit was reported by On3's Joe Tipton, and will begin Sunday evening. A transfer guard from USC, Claude is coming off a season in which he started 32-of-33 games for the Trojans to average 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 48.2% shooting from the field. Claude also shot a combined 30.7% from three, as well as 76.4% at the free throw line. One of the better seasons of his collegiate career, this also came just a year after Claude transferred to USC from Xavier where he averaged 16.6 points per game during the 2023-24 campaign to be named Big East Most Improved Player. According to 247Sports' Transfer Rankings, Claude ranks as the No. 34 overall player in the portal this offseason, as well as the sixth-highest rated uncommitted prospect currently. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gonzaga Contacts High Scoring Big Ten Guard in Transfer Portal
Gonzaga has made contact with former USC guard Desmond Claude in the transfer portal, per a report from 247Sports' Dushawn London. Claude confirmed the outreach himself and noted that the Zags are among several high-major programs who have shown interest since his name officially entered the portal just ahead of the NCAA deadline. Advertisement Claude, a 6-foot-5 junior, was USC's most productive offensive weapon during the 2024-25 season. He paced the Trojans in scoring with 15.8 points per game while also contributing 3.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 0.6 steals. He did so efficiently, connecting on 48.2% of his shot attempts and 31% from long range. In addition to Gonzaga, Claude has reported hearing from BYU, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, and Ole Miss—programs all actively seeking proven contributors in the backcourt. For Gonzaga, the interest in Claude comes at a time when depth at the guard position is a clear priority. The Bulldogs return Braeden Smith at point guard and Jalen Warley at shooting guard, a solid starting duo, but the rotation thins quickly behind them. Adding a dynamic and experienced scorer like Claude would significantly bolster the Zags' options heading into the 2025-26 campaign. Advertisement Claude's collegiate journey began at Xavier, where he made an immediate impact as a freshman. After transferring to USC, he seamlessly stepped into a leading role and proved he could handle the pressures of Power Six competition. His size, poise, and ability to create offense off the dribble make him a valuable asset for any backcourt. With his name now officially in the portal and high-level interest rolling in, Claude will have plenty of options to weigh. Gonzaga's long-standing tradition of success and player development under Mark Few could make Spokane an appealing destination for one of the top late entrants in this cycle. Related: Gonzaga Navigating the Transfer Portal with Confidence, Not Desperation
