Coming off an impressive 21-win season, USC men's basketball is returning most of its core players and adding some talented new pieces. Andy Enfield and his coaching staff have revitalized the program by recruiting, mostly in Southern California, which now includes Crespi's De'Anthony Melton (pictured) and Santa Monica's Jonah Mathews.Melton was recently named the CIF-SS Division III Player of the Year, while Mathews earned the CIF-SS Division 1A Player of the Year. The guards form a three-man recruiting class with big man Harrison Henderson from Texas. Plus, Louisville transfer Shaqquan Aaron is now eligible after sitting out a year.
After an exceptional performance in the state championship game during which he scored 24 points and added 17 rebounds, Melton drew Russell Westbrook comparisons from veteran basketball writer Frank Burlison. Like Westbrook, Melton was an under the radar prospect who is learning to harness his explosive athleticism.
Mathews should fit nicely into Enfield's system as another dangerous perimeter shooter. He is the most highly-touted prospect in this class, ranked No. 72 by Scout and No. 77 by ESPN.
