NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest transfer busts of the 2017-18 season

SO Derryck Thornton – USC Trojans

2017-18 stats: 3.8 ppg 1.4 rpg 1.2 apg

It was understandable why the former five-star point guard left Duke. The coaching staff didn’t trust him 100% as the primary ball-handler and going closer to home on the west coast would be a good move.

But going to USC, which was going to have a ton of depth was a bit questionable, to say the least. If playing time was the objective. Even after fellow guard De’Anthony Melton was declared ineligible to play this season, Thornton’s playing time stayed at a modest 14 mpg.

This might be unfair to put him on this list based on the surrounding talent, but I just wasn’t too impressed with him when he was on the court. The scoring wasn’t there, and he was way too turnover prone in limited minutes. He could just simply not be a five-star player, but rather a four-year basketball player that needs to develop over time.

The starting point guard position is available after the graduation of Jordan McLaughlin, and Thornton will be the initial guy coming in. But with key Trojans leaving, he’ll be counted on to keep them in the tournament picture.

With two years left, the verdict is still out. But based on the hype that occurred with this pickup, it was an underwhelming year.