USC’s Drew Peterson, Isaiah Mobley declare intentions to enter the NBA draft

Two of USC’s high three scorers have determined to enter the NBA draft amid one other offseason of upheaval for Andy Enfield and the Trojans, who’ve navigated their share of shake-ups lately.

Drew Peterson grew to become the most recent to announce his plans to go away USC, declaring his intent Monday to enter the NBA draft however nonetheless retaining his eligibility to return to USC this summer season if he chooses.

Isaiah Mobley took the same route final spring, impressing through the NBA draft mix course of earlier than finally deciding to return to the Trojans. The expectation is Peterson will observe that very same path, figuring out for NBA groups and soliciting suggestions from scouts earlier than enjoying one remaining season at USC.

For Mobley, yet one more season was sufficient to persuade him it was time to maneuver on. The junior, who led USC in scoring (14.2 factors per sport) and rebounds (8.3 per sport) final season, introduced Saturday in a publish on social media that he deliberate to enter the draft and rent an agent, bringing his three-year tenure to an official shut.

What lies forward for Peterson through the draft course of is much less clear. But when he does resolve to return, he can be one of many few from this previous season’s 26-win group.

Forwards Chevez Goodwin and Isaiah White had already made their exit plans recognized. Since USC fell to Miami (Fla.) within the first spherical of the NCAA match, three extra scholarship gamers from final season’s roster — guard Ethan Anderson and forwards Max Agbonkpolo and Boubacar Coulibaly — have left the group. Anderson and Agbonkpolo have since signed with Wyoming.

Solely guard Boogie Ellis stays from the Trojans’ beginning 5 final season, after a protracted stretch of hypothesis that he, too, was contemplating leaving USC.

A top-flight recruiting class, ranked sixth total within the nation, ought to assist soothe some issues about USC’s roster turnover, as five-star middle Vince Iwuchukwu and four-star energy ahead Kijani Wright are more likely to step into instant roles.

However loads of work is more likely to be executed earlier than subsequent season through the NCAA switch portal. Enfield and his workers have deftly navigated the portal prior to now, including essential items by means of spring and summer season.

Peterson was a type of offseason additions two springs in the past. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, the gangly 6-foot-9 guard dedicated to switch from Rice to USC with out having stepped foot on campus. He has been a vital cog in Enfield’s offense since.

Final season, he additionally assumed the function of ground basic, initiating the Trojans’ offense as their de facto level guard. Peterson averaged 12.4 factors per sport final season.

Though his consistency was typically scattershot and his confidence typically waned, he tended to avoid wasting his greatest performances for the most important moments.

Peterson put UCLA away in February with a career-high 27 factors. He practically performed the hero once more in USC’s match loss to Miami, scoring eight factors within the remaining minute solely to narrowly miss a buzzer-beater to tie the rating.