4. Oregon Ducks – Grade: C+
The Ducks lost two frontcourt players in Quincy Guerrier and former five-star prospect Kel’el Ware but with starting center N’Faly Dante coming back for an extra year, that’s been mitigated. The team adds two D-I guard transfers, Devan Cambridge and Kario Oquendo. They’re both solid rotational pieces and even starters but aren’t game-changers.
Ultimately, Oregon’s fate will come down to its trio of high-profile incoming freshmen. Jackson Shelstad is set to run the offense, while KJ Evans and Mookie Cook are five-star wings. Their presence affects the team’s ability to get more proven players but the roster, without knowing how good the freshmen are, looks to be similar to last season’s.
3. USC Trojans – Grade: B+
The Trojans first got great news with leading scorer Boogie Ellis coming back for a 5th year. And that was followed up with them landing Bronny James, a top-40 prospect and son of NBA great, LeBron James. They did lose both Reese Dixon-Waters and Malik Thomas in the backcourt but with five-star guard Isaiah Collier coming in, there was too much room.
The only other move with USC was trading freshman wing Tre White for Washington State transfer DJ Rodman in the frontcourt, which was largely a wash. It’s been both a good and notable offseason for the Trojans, who might be a preseason top-25 team next season.