University Southern California Trojans
Sunday, January 8
Los Angeles, Calif.
2:00 PM
USC
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UCLA
Players Mentioned
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Photo by: John McGillen
USC Women’s Basketball Heads Across Town Aiming For Rivalry Win At No. 12 UCLA
January 03, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Trojans visit the Bruins at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Pauley Pavilion looking to avenge last month’s loss at Galen Center.
USC (11-3, 1-2) at #12 UCLA (13-2, 2-1)
Pauley Pavilion | Westwood, Calif.
Sunday, Jan. 8 | 2 p.m.
Series Record [since 1971-72] USC trails 50-55 (L7)
Last Meeting: L 59-56 [12/15/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Networks (Talent: Tammy Blackburn & Tracy Warren)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
USC is back in Los Angeles to set up for a rivalry clash against UCLA this weekend. The Trojans visit the Bruins for a 2 p.m. meeting on Sunday (Jan. 8) in Westwood as USC looks for payback after a tight loss to UCLA last month at Galen Center.
FOLLOW ALONG
Sunday's USC-UCLA clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks with Tammy Blackburn and Tracy Warren on the call. The game will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll. USC is unranked in the latest round of national rankings (as of Jan. 3). USC enters this week rated 42 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 6 team in the nation in scoring defense, having allowed just 52.0 points per game through its 11-3 start to the season. The Trojans also are top-30 in four other categories: 3-point percentage defense (6th — 23.6%), field goal percentage defense (9th‚ 33.8%), blocks per game (10th - 5.6 bpg), and steals per game (26th — 11.2 spg).
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC enters the week with a few players making their mark on the national stat sheets. With 3.17 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's also No. 6 in total blocks (38) and No. 7 in total double-doubles with eight. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 15 with her 10.8 rebounds per game and No. 16 with 7.7 defensive rebounds per game. Kadi Sissoko's field goal percentage of 57.8 has her at No. 27 in the nation. And with a free-throw percentage of 90.0, Destiny Littleton ranks No. 29 in the land.
RAYAH REIGNS AS PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall was the driving force for the Trojans in a key Pac-12 road split, now ringing in the new year with her first career selection as the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Jan. 2. The versatile forward made her mark in the USC history books with the most points scored by a Trojan since 2019 when she pinned up a career-high 33 points in the Trojans' win at Oregon State on Friday. She'd haul in 16 rebounds in that one and keep her blocks streak alive and well with four in USC's victory. It was the just the seventh 30-point and 15-rebound double-double by any player in the NCAA this season and the first such outing by a Trojan since at least 1999-2000. Marshall also accounted for 16 of USC's 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Beavers and had over half USC's total team rebounds in the win. At No. 17 Oregon on New Year's Day, Marshall continued her blocks streak in stretching her run to 34 straight games with at least one block while also tallying her fifth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She's tied for seventh in the nation with her eight double-doubles this season and is No. 1 in the Pac-12 with that total. It is the first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for Marshall and the 51th overall for the Women of Troy all-time.
ROAD SPLIT
USC couldn't keep pace with No. 17 Oregon on the Ducks' home turf, falling 73-45 in a tough day on the road for the Trojans. Both teams hit four 3-pointers apiece in the first half, but it was Oregon's 44-percent scoring pace that kept the Ducks out ahead of the Trojans, who shot just 23.5 percent in those first 20 minutes to trail it 41-22 at halftime. USC was unable to crank it up in the second half while the Ducks stayed the course, as the Trojans finished up shooting a season-low 23 percent from the floor. Oregon wrapped the game shooting 43.5 percent, and had the edge on the boards 43-41. Although hampered by foul trouble, Rayah Marshall emerged with her fifth consecutive double-double on 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Trojans, while Taylor Bigby added nine points. Koi Love hauled in eight rebounds and nabbed three steals for USC. Oregon was led in scoring by Endyia Rogers' 19 points, with Taya Hanson adding 17 and Chance Gray tallying 14, while Phillipina Kyei pulled in 20 rebounds for the Ducks.
NOTABLE:
- With 14 points and 11 rebounds, RO Rayah Marshall has now recorded a double-double in five straight games.
- Marshall now has a team-high eight double-doubles and the 14th of her USC career.
- With one block today, Marshall has recorded at least one block in 35 consecutive games played.
- Marshall has scored in double figures in 10 games this season.
- Marshall also made a career-high eight free throws on a career-high eight attempts.
- Oregon's 73 points marked the most given up by the Trojans this season.
- USC scored a season-low 45 points and shot a season-low 23 percent from the floor.
- USC was missing Kadi Sissoko for this game due to injury.
BEATING THE BEAVERS
Rayah Marshall shouldered the load and pinned up a career-high 33 points to help carry the USC women's basketball team to a 69-58 road win at Oregon State. Marshall scored 20 points in the second half including 16 of USC's 18 in the fourth to keep the Trojans on pace to a key Pac-12 road win. USC shot 40 percent from the floor in the first half to help lead it 35-30 at halftime. The Beavers benefited from a foul count that tipped against the Trojans, making 13 of 14 first-half free throws to USC's 4-of-6 effort in those first 20 minutes. Overall, OSU shot 36.4 percent from the floor and had a 20-16 advantage on the boards by the halftime break. USC stayed on course in the second half, finishing up at 41.3 percent overall to outpace OSU's final 33.3 percent effort, dipping after tallying just three field goals in the third frame. The Beavers won the battle of the boards 42-31 but were plagued by a season-high 24 turnovers as USC amassed 13 steals in an interruptive effort on the road. The story of the game was clearly Rayah Marshall, who was the only player in double digits with 13 at halftime as she maneuvered her way to a fourth straight double-double with her 33-point outburst — most scored by a Trojan since 2019 — and her game-high 16 rebounds — accounting for over half of USC's total team rebounds on the night. Destiny Littleton also provided double figures for the Trojans with her 13 points to go along with six assists and four steals, and Kayla Williams added her eight points all in the second half. Oregon State received a double-double from Jelena Mitrovic on 19 points and 14 rebounds, with USC grad Shalexxus Aaron scoring 15 for the Beavers.
NOTABLE:
- With a career-high 33 points, SO Rayah Marshall scored in double digits for the ninth game this season.
- Marshall's 33 points was the most scored by a Trojan since Mariya Moore scored 36 at Cal in 2019.
- The last 33-point game by a Trojan was by Shay Murphy in 2006.
- Marshall also grabbed 16 rebounds for her team-high seventh double-double and 13th of her USC career.
- Marshall has now recorded a double-double in four straight games.
- With four blocks, Marshall has recorded at least one block in 34 consecutive games played.
- With 13 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the 10th time this season.
- USC won by double digits for the eighth time this season.
- USC forced Oregon State into a season-high 24 turnovers.
- OSU's two 3-pointers made matched its season low.
- OSU's eight points scored in the third was the 11th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 in a quarter.
BATTLING THE BRUINS
USC reeled in its rival UCLA in the second half but was unable to pull off the upset as the No. 10 Bruins earned a 59-56 win over the Trojans in a Pac-12 opener at Galen Center. The loss snapped USC's undefeated start to the season. The lead traded hands three times and was tied up five times in the first half before UCLA made a late push in outscoring USC 13-4 in the last two minutes to go up 39-28 at the break. The Bruins were shooting 43.6 percent from the floor to outpace USC's 33.3 percent, while UCLA had the edge on the boards 22-18 through those first 20 minutes of rivalry action. The Trojans would up their defensive pressure in the second half, holding the Bruins to just 21 percent from the floor while allowing just seven UCLA points in the fourth. But the equalizer would not come for USC, who wound up three points short of forcing OT. USC finished the game shooting 34.5 percent overall to better UCLA's 32.9 percent. USC landed six 3-pointers to three by its rival, but UCLA benefitted from 20 offensive rebounds and finished ahead on the boards overall 47-36 to help fend off the Trojans. USC received a game-high 20 points from Kadi Sissoko and a double-double from Rayah Marshall on 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Destiny Littleton added 10 points for the Trojans and Taylor Bigby nailed three 3-pointers. UCLA was led by Emily Bessoir's 16 points along with 14 each from Kiki Rice and Charisma Osborne, who also tallied a double-double with 13 rebounds for the Bruins. USC was trailing 52-44 entering the fourth quarter before USC got one back, down 52-51 with 4:40 to go on a three from Marshall. Entering the final minute of the fourth, it was a three-point difference on a make from Sissoko, who tugged the Trojans to within reach, down 59-56 on her 20th points of the night. A defensive rebound by Littleton got USC on the attack for a look at an equalizer, but the final shot eluded the Trojans and it was the Bruins who emerged with the 59-56 win at Galen Center.
NOTABLE:
- With four blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 31 consecutive games played.
- With 15 points, Marshall scored in double digits for the sixth time this season.
- With 10 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the ninth time this season.
- RS FR Taylor Bigby tied a career-high three 3-pointers made.
- Marshall recorded her 10th career double-double and team-high fourth this season with 15 pts and 10 rebs.
- GS Destiny Littleton tied a career-high with seven assists.
- With 20 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored 20 or more points for the third time this season, her ninth game in double digits overall at USC.
- USC held UCLA to a season-low 59 points and a season-low 13% (3-of-23) from 3-point range.
- UCLA's seven points scored in the fourth quarter marks the ninth time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans. Sissoko and Littleton are averaging 15.3 and 11.7 points per game, respectively. The duo also has posted 10 double-digit outings each to date, while Sissoko boasts three games with 20+ points.
COMING UP BIG
USC redshirt freshman transfer Taylor Bigby is hitting her stride as a Trojan, now with at least one 3-pointer scored in seven of USC's last nine games. She averaged 2.8 points per game in the first five games of the year, and has averaged 8.3 ppg in the last nine games thanks in part to a career-high 21 points vs. Merrimack.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall added to her Pac-12 accolades with her earning of All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention from the media. The top-ranked freshman in the nation in blocks last season, Marshall is back for more in her second year as a Trojan. Marshall earned All-Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention last year, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She was USC's third leading scorer with 11. 3 points per game while dominating the boards with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with her 2.54 blocks per game — ranking her No. 12 overall in the nation in that category in 2021-22. So far in her 2022-23 sophomore campaign, Marshall has made an indelible mark with her 33-point outing in USC's win at Oregon State. Averaging 14.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game to date, she's collected eight double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.17 blocks per game.
2022-23 TROJANS
The Women of Troy are a dynamic group with solid returning talent along with a powerful group of newcomers. The 2022-23 roster features All-Pac-12 honoree Rayah Marshall and its top 3-point scorer Alyson Miura returning from last season, in addition to seven transfers ready to hit the court in Cardinal and Gold. USC's group of grad transfers features an NCAA champion in Destiny Littleton along with three standout internationals in Kadi Sissoko, Rokia Doumbia and Okako Adika. USC has also welcomed undergraduate transfers Kayla Williams, Koi Love and Taylor Bigby to the Trojan Family.
SIGNED!
JUJU WATKINS | Sierra Canyon HS (Watts, Calif.)
The USC women's basketball program has the stage set for some serious star power with the addition of the nation's top high school player, guard JuJu Watkins, who signed a national letter of intent to join the Women of Troy in 2023. Heralded as the best in the USA, Watkins named the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a junior. A native of Watts, Calif., Watkins is sticking to her Los Angeles roots in becoming a Trojan. In addition to her numerous California state accolades, she also brings in significant international experience as a member of the United States U-17 and U-16 national teams. She was named the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in helping Team USA to a gold medal at that event. And in 2021, she was the MVP of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, where the U.S. squad also won gold. The 6-1 guard has played club ball for Sports Academy Swish GBL. And in her junior season with Sierra Canyon, Watkins piled up state honors as the Gatorade California Girls Basketball Player of the Year, CIF Mc. Basketball State Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year in 2022.
MALIA SAMUELS | Garfield HS (Seattle, Wash.)
USC gets another guard stronger with the addition of Seattle product Malia Samuels, who signed a national letter of intent to become a Trojan. A 5-6 guard, Samuels was the 2021-22 3A Washington State Player of the Year as a junior. Also named State Tournament MVP that season, she was an All-State First Team honoree. A regular on all-state honor rolls and the 2022 Metro League Player of the Year, she averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 assist, 6.1 steals and 3.4 rebounds per game at the guard slots. At the club level, she has competed for Greyhounds and is considered the top girls basketball recruit out of the state of Washington in this 2023 class. •
Pauley Pavilion | Westwood, Calif.
Sunday, Jan. 8 | 2 p.m.
Series Record [since 1971-72] USC trails 50-55 (L7)
Last Meeting: L 59-56 [12/15/22 • Galen Center]
TV: P12 Networks (Talent: Tammy Blackburn & Tracy Warren)
STREAM | STATS
THIS WEEK
USC is back in Los Angeles to set up for a rivalry clash against UCLA this weekend. The Trojans visit the Bruins for a 2 p.m. meeting on Sunday (Jan. 8) in Westwood as USC looks for payback after a tight loss to UCLA last month at Galen Center.
FOLLOW ALONG
Sunday's USC-UCLA clash will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks with Tammy Blackburn and Tracy Warren on the call. The game will also stream live at pac-12.com/live.
IN THE POLLS
USC was receiving votes in the preseason USA Today poll. USC is unranked in the latest round of national rankings (as of Jan. 3). USC enters this week rated 42 in the NET rankings.
USC IN THE NATION
USC entered the week ranked as the No. 6 team in the nation in scoring defense, having allowed just 52.0 points per game through its 11-3 start to the season. The Trojans also are top-30 in four other categories: 3-point percentage defense (6th — 23.6%), field goal percentage defense (9th‚ 33.8%), blocks per game (10th - 5.6 bpg), and steals per game (26th — 11.2 spg).
TROJANS IN THE NATION
Individually, USC enters the week with a few players making their mark on the national stat sheets. With 3.17 blocks per game, Rayah Marshall ranks No. 3 in the nation. She's also No. 6 in total blocks (38) and No. 7 in total double-doubles with eight. Marshall also is making her mark on the boards, ranked No. 15 with her 10.8 rebounds per game and No. 16 with 7.7 defensive rebounds per game. Kadi Sissoko's field goal percentage of 57.8 has her at No. 27 in the nation. And with a free-throw percentage of 90.0, Destiny Littleton ranks No. 29 in the land.
RAYAH REIGNS AS PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall was the driving force for the Trojans in a key Pac-12 road split, now ringing in the new year with her first career selection as the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Jan. 2. The versatile forward made her mark in the USC history books with the most points scored by a Trojan since 2019 when she pinned up a career-high 33 points in the Trojans' win at Oregon State on Friday. She'd haul in 16 rebounds in that one and keep her blocks streak alive and well with four in USC's victory. It was the just the seventh 30-point and 15-rebound double-double by any player in the NCAA this season and the first such outing by a Trojan since at least 1999-2000. Marshall also accounted for 16 of USC's 18 points in the fourth quarter against the Beavers and had over half USC's total team rebounds in the win. At No. 17 Oregon on New Year's Day, Marshall continued her blocks streak in stretching her run to 34 straight games with at least one block while also tallying her fifth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She's tied for seventh in the nation with her eight double-doubles this season and is No. 1 in the Pac-12 with that total. It is the first career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor for Marshall and the 51th overall for the Women of Troy all-time.
ROAD SPLIT
USC couldn't keep pace with No. 17 Oregon on the Ducks' home turf, falling 73-45 in a tough day on the road for the Trojans. Both teams hit four 3-pointers apiece in the first half, but it was Oregon's 44-percent scoring pace that kept the Ducks out ahead of the Trojans, who shot just 23.5 percent in those first 20 minutes to trail it 41-22 at halftime. USC was unable to crank it up in the second half while the Ducks stayed the course, as the Trojans finished up shooting a season-low 23 percent from the floor. Oregon wrapped the game shooting 43.5 percent, and had the edge on the boards 43-41. Although hampered by foul trouble, Rayah Marshall emerged with her fifth consecutive double-double on 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Trojans, while Taylor Bigby added nine points. Koi Love hauled in eight rebounds and nabbed three steals for USC. Oregon was led in scoring by Endyia Rogers' 19 points, with Taya Hanson adding 17 and Chance Gray tallying 14, while Phillipina Kyei pulled in 20 rebounds for the Ducks.
NOTABLE:
- With 14 points and 11 rebounds, RO Rayah Marshall has now recorded a double-double in five straight games.
- Marshall now has a team-high eight double-doubles and the 14th of her USC career.
- With one block today, Marshall has recorded at least one block in 35 consecutive games played.
- Marshall has scored in double figures in 10 games this season.
- Marshall also made a career-high eight free throws on a career-high eight attempts.
- Oregon's 73 points marked the most given up by the Trojans this season.
- USC scored a season-low 45 points and shot a season-low 23 percent from the floor.
- USC was missing Kadi Sissoko for this game due to injury.
BEATING THE BEAVERS
Rayah Marshall shouldered the load and pinned up a career-high 33 points to help carry the USC women's basketball team to a 69-58 road win at Oregon State. Marshall scored 20 points in the second half including 16 of USC's 18 in the fourth to keep the Trojans on pace to a key Pac-12 road win. USC shot 40 percent from the floor in the first half to help lead it 35-30 at halftime. The Beavers benefited from a foul count that tipped against the Trojans, making 13 of 14 first-half free throws to USC's 4-of-6 effort in those first 20 minutes. Overall, OSU shot 36.4 percent from the floor and had a 20-16 advantage on the boards by the halftime break. USC stayed on course in the second half, finishing up at 41.3 percent overall to outpace OSU's final 33.3 percent effort, dipping after tallying just three field goals in the third frame. The Beavers won the battle of the boards 42-31 but were plagued by a season-high 24 turnovers as USC amassed 13 steals in an interruptive effort on the road. The story of the game was clearly Rayah Marshall, who was the only player in double digits with 13 at halftime as she maneuvered her way to a fourth straight double-double with her 33-point outburst — most scored by a Trojan since 2019 — and her game-high 16 rebounds — accounting for over half of USC's total team rebounds on the night. Destiny Littleton also provided double figures for the Trojans with her 13 points to go along with six assists and four steals, and Kayla Williams added her eight points all in the second half. Oregon State received a double-double from Jelena Mitrovic on 19 points and 14 rebounds, with USC grad Shalexxus Aaron scoring 15 for the Beavers.
NOTABLE:
- With a career-high 33 points, SO Rayah Marshall scored in double digits for the ninth game this season.
- Marshall's 33 points was the most scored by a Trojan since Mariya Moore scored 36 at Cal in 2019.
- The last 33-point game by a Trojan was by Shay Murphy in 2006.
- Marshall also grabbed 16 rebounds for her team-high seventh double-double and 13th of her USC career.
- Marshall has now recorded a double-double in four straight games.
- With four blocks, Marshall has recorded at least one block in 34 consecutive games played.
- With 13 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the 10th time this season.
- USC won by double digits for the eighth time this season.
- USC forced Oregon State into a season-high 24 turnovers.
- OSU's two 3-pointers made matched its season low.
- OSU's eight points scored in the third was the 11th time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 in a quarter.
BATTLING THE BRUINS
USC reeled in its rival UCLA in the second half but was unable to pull off the upset as the No. 10 Bruins earned a 59-56 win over the Trojans in a Pac-12 opener at Galen Center. The loss snapped USC's undefeated start to the season. The lead traded hands three times and was tied up five times in the first half before UCLA made a late push in outscoring USC 13-4 in the last two minutes to go up 39-28 at the break. The Bruins were shooting 43.6 percent from the floor to outpace USC's 33.3 percent, while UCLA had the edge on the boards 22-18 through those first 20 minutes of rivalry action. The Trojans would up their defensive pressure in the second half, holding the Bruins to just 21 percent from the floor while allowing just seven UCLA points in the fourth. But the equalizer would not come for USC, who wound up three points short of forcing OT. USC finished the game shooting 34.5 percent overall to better UCLA's 32.9 percent. USC landed six 3-pointers to three by its rival, but UCLA benefitted from 20 offensive rebounds and finished ahead on the boards overall 47-36 to help fend off the Trojans. USC received a game-high 20 points from Kadi Sissoko and a double-double from Rayah Marshall on 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Destiny Littleton added 10 points for the Trojans and Taylor Bigby nailed three 3-pointers. UCLA was led by Emily Bessoir's 16 points along with 14 each from Kiki Rice and Charisma Osborne, who also tallied a double-double with 13 rebounds for the Bruins. USC was trailing 52-44 entering the fourth quarter before USC got one back, down 52-51 with 4:40 to go on a three from Marshall. Entering the final minute of the fourth, it was a three-point difference on a make from Sissoko, who tugged the Trojans to within reach, down 59-56 on her 20th points of the night. A defensive rebound by Littleton got USC on the attack for a look at an equalizer, but the final shot eluded the Trojans and it was the Bruins who emerged with the 59-56 win at Galen Center.
NOTABLE:
- With four blocks, SO Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in 31 consecutive games played.
- With 15 points, Marshall scored in double digits for the sixth time this season.
- With 10 points, GS Destiny Littleton scored in double digits for the ninth time this season.
- RS FR Taylor Bigby tied a career-high three 3-pointers made.
- Marshall recorded her 10th career double-double and team-high fourth this season with 15 pts and 10 rebs.
- GS Destiny Littleton tied a career-high with seven assists.
- With 20 points, GS Kadi Sissoko scored 20 or more points for the third time this season, her ninth game in double digits overall at USC.
- USC held UCLA to a season-low 59 points and a season-low 13% (3-of-23) from 3-point range.
- UCLA's seven points scored in the fourth quarter marks the ninth time this season that USC has allowed fewer than 10 points in a quarter.
TRANSFER TIME
USC grad transfers Kadi Sissoko and Destiny Littleton have emerged as top impact players in their first season as Trojans. Sissoko and Littleton are averaging 15.3 and 11.7 points per game, respectively. The duo also has posted 10 double-digit outings each to date, while Sissoko boasts three games with 20+ points.
COMING UP BIG
USC redshirt freshman transfer Taylor Bigby is hitting her stride as a Trojan, now with at least one 3-pointer scored in seven of USC's last nine games. She averaged 2.8 points per game in the first five games of the year, and has averaged 8.3 ppg in the last nine games thanks in part to a career-high 21 points vs. Merrimack.
RAYAH'S PAC-12 POWER
USC sophomore Rayah Marshall added to her Pac-12 accolades with her earning of All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention from the media. The top-ranked freshman in the nation in blocks last season, Marshall is back for more in her second year as a Trojan. Marshall earned All-Pac-12 Defensive Honorable Mention last year, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She was USC's third leading scorer with 11. 3 points per game while dominating the boards with a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with her 2.54 blocks per game — ranking her No. 12 overall in the nation in that category in 2021-22. So far in her 2022-23 sophomore campaign, Marshall has made an indelible mark with her 33-point outing in USC's win at Oregon State. Averaging 14.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game to date, she's collected eight double-doubles this season and is one of the nation's top blockers with her 3.17 blocks per game.
2022-23 TROJANS
The Women of Troy are a dynamic group with solid returning talent along with a powerful group of newcomers. The 2022-23 roster features All-Pac-12 honoree Rayah Marshall and its top 3-point scorer Alyson Miura returning from last season, in addition to seven transfers ready to hit the court in Cardinal and Gold. USC's group of grad transfers features an NCAA champion in Destiny Littleton along with three standout internationals in Kadi Sissoko, Rokia Doumbia and Okako Adika. USC has also welcomed undergraduate transfers Kayla Williams, Koi Love and Taylor Bigby to the Trojan Family.
SIGNED!
JUJU WATKINS | Sierra Canyon HS (Watts, Calif.)
The USC women's basketball program has the stage set for some serious star power with the addition of the nation's top high school player, guard JuJu Watkins, who signed a national letter of intent to join the Women of Troy in 2023. Heralded as the best in the USA, Watkins named the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a junior. A native of Watts, Calif., Watkins is sticking to her Los Angeles roots in becoming a Trojan. In addition to her numerous California state accolades, she also brings in significant international experience as a member of the United States U-17 and U-16 national teams. She was named the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in helping Team USA to a gold medal at that event. And in 2021, she was the MVP of the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, where the U.S. squad also won gold. The 6-1 guard has played club ball for Sports Academy Swish GBL. And in her junior season with Sierra Canyon, Watkins piled up state honors as the Gatorade California Girls Basketball Player of the Year, CIF Mc. Basketball State Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year in 2022.
MALIA SAMUELS | Garfield HS (Seattle, Wash.)
USC gets another guard stronger with the addition of Seattle product Malia Samuels, who signed a national letter of intent to become a Trojan. A 5-6 guard, Samuels was the 2021-22 3A Washington State Player of the Year as a junior. Also named State Tournament MVP that season, she was an All-State First Team honoree. A regular on all-state honor rolls and the 2022 Metro League Player of the Year, she averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 assist, 6.1 steals and 3.4 rebounds per game at the guard slots. At the club level, she has competed for Greyhounds and is considered the top girls basketball recruit out of the state of Washington in this 2023 class. •
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