League: NCAAM Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Injuries

Three USC basketball players return for 2026-27 season instead of NBA Draft

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 6, 2026, 5:05 PM

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

Three USC basketball players return for 2026-27 season instead of NBA Draft

Summary

Alijah Arenas, Jacob Cofie, and Rodney Rice will return to USC men's basketball for the upcoming season rather than declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Arenas and Rice both experienced significant injuries last season, limiting their playing time. Cofie aims to boost his draft stock before making the jump to the NBA. All three players share the goal of leading USC on a deep run in March Madness.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Arenas and Rice both missed significant time due to injuries last season.
•Cofie participated in the G League Combine and sought to improve his draft position.
•All three players will retain their NCAA eligibility by withdrawing from the draft.

Latest Updates

5:05 PMYahoo Sports — Three Trojans Reveals Why They Picked USC Instead of NBA Draft

What they're saying

"
Instead of declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft, three players decided to return to USC men’s basketball for the 2026-27 season. Rising sophomore guard Alijah Arenas and junior forward Jacob Cofie both entered as early entry candidates for the NBA Draft. Cofie participated in the G League Combine in May and was one of six […] The post Three Trojans Reveals Why They Picked USC Instead of NBA Draft appeared first on LA Sports Report.
— Yahoo Sports

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