The University of Southern California (USC) is known for producing great athletes in various sports, including basketball. The USC basketball team has a rich history and has achieved numerous successes over the years. In this article, we will take a closer look at the team’s history, notable players, and their achievements.
Early Years
The USC basketball team was established in 1906, making it one of the oldest college basketball programs in the United States. However, it wasn’t until the 1920s that the team began to gain recognition. In 1920, USC won its first conference championship and went on to win three more in the decade.
The team’s success continued in the 1930s, with USC winning four conference championships. During this time, the team had several notable players, including Jack Gardiner, who was the first Trojan to be named an All-American.
1950s and 1960s
The 1950s and 1960s were another successful period for the USC basketball team. In 1954, USC won its first NCAA tournament game and went on to make it to the Elite Eight. In 1961, the team won its first conference championship in over 20 years, and in 1969, USC made it to the Final Four for the first time in its history.
During this era, the team had several standout players, including Bill Sharman, who went on to have a successful career in the NBA and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976.
1970s and 1980s
The USC basketball team continued to have success in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1979, the team made it to the Elite Eight for the second time in its history, and in 1985, USC won its fifth conference championship.
During this time, the team had several notable players, including Gus Williams, who went on to have a successful career in the NBA and was named an All-Star three times.
1990s to Present
The USC basketball team has had its ups and downs in recent years. In the 2000s, the team made it to the NCAA tournament five times, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2007. However, the team struggled in the 2010s, failing to make the NCAA tournament from 2011 to 2016.
Despite these challenges, the team has had several standout players in recent years, including O.J. Mayo, who was the fifth pick in the 2008 NBA draft, and DeMar DeRozan, who was the ninth pick in the 2009 NBA draft and has been named an All-Star four times.
Achievements
The USC basketball team has achieved numerous successes over the years. The team has won five conference championships and has made it to the NCAA tournament 18 times. In addition, the team has made it to the Final Four twice, in 1940 and 1954.
Several USC basketball players have also achieved individual successes. In addition to Bill Sharman and Jack Gardiner, who were previously mentioned, other notable USC basketball players include Paul Westphal, who was a five-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019, and Nick Young, who has had a successful NBA career.
Conclusion
The USC basketball team has a rich history and has achieved numerous successes over the years. While the team has had its ups and downs, it has continued to produce great players and achieve notable accomplishments. With a strong coaching staff and talented players, the future looks bright for the USC basketball team.
