But the Trojans are not without tradition. Among the retired jerseys hanging in the Galen Center rafters, Bill Sharman's No. 11 lives in suspended perpetuity.
Sharman had the most successful professional basketball career of any Trojan. He was a four-time NBA champion as a player with the Boston Celtics and also coached the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1972 title.
Sharman died a year ago this month. But before he departed, he gave his consent to Pat Haden that his No. 11 could be passed down to McLaughlin, the bright future of the USC basketball legacy that Sharman helped build, and he was looking forward to seeing him play.
For his part, McLaughlin is honored to wear the number, which he donned in high school, and would have worn another uniform if No. 11 was not made available. While a lot of expectations are being heaped on the youngsters shoulders, he has embraced the responsibility every step of the way.
"He came to USC to be relied upon as a freshman, and he'll get that opportunity," Enfield said about McLaughlin at Pac-12 Media Day.
The Trojan Family can meet McLaughlin and the team this Sunday at the Trojan Tip-Off beginning with Fan Fest inside Galen Center at 11:30 a.m. Scrimmages start at 12:30 p.m. and admission is FREE.
