University Southern California Trojans
2018 #USCtotheNBA Season Preview
October 16, 2018 | Men's Basketball, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The 2018 NBA regular season begins today, and it's shaping up to be one of the biggest years yet for Trojans in the league.USC has six active players in the league, including two rookies.
Four-time NBA All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan (pictured) begins a new chapter in his career with the San Antonio Spurs after nine years in Toronto, during which he averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
DeRozan kicks off the season tomorrow against his former college teammate, Taj Gibson, and the Timberwolves. Gibson is heading into his 10th NBA season and his second in Minnesota after spending the first eight in Chicago, with a quick stop in Oklahoma City. The power forward has averaged 9.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game during his career thus far.
Another Trojan big man, Nikola Vucevic, begins his eighth NBA season (seventh with the Orlando Magic) tomorrow. Vucevic has averaged a double-double during his time with the Magic, and could be set for more success this season, especially with the help of first-year head coach Steve Clifford, who's had success building around big men in the past.
Vucevic will go up against former Magic teammate and fellow USC alum Dewayne Dedmon four times this season. Dedmon is heading into his second season as a center for the Atlanta Hawks after previously playing for the Spurs, Magic, 76ers and Warriors during his five-year career. Dedmon posted career-highs in nearly every category last season with the Hawks, and has bolstered a starting spot heading into 2018-19. Dedmon is currently dealing with an ankle injury, though, and is not expected to play in the Hawks' season opener against the Knicks tomorrow.
In addition to USC's impressive crop of NBA vets, two rookies will begin their professional careers this season.
The Houston Rockets drafted De'Anthony Melton in the second round, but traded him to the Phoenix Suns in August. The guard averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during his freshman year at USC and showed the Suns what he could do with a 10-point outing in their preseason game against the Trail Blazers earlier this month.
Forward Chimezie Metu went just three picks after Melton to the Spurs, where he'll team up with a fellow Trojan in DeRozan. In three years at USC, Metu averaged 12.3 points. 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 assists per game. Metu injured his wrist during NBA Summer League play, but is healthy for the start of the season.
Nick Young, who became the most recent Trojan to win an NBA Championship in 2018, is currently a free agent.
Players Mentioned
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