LOS ANGELES — As the USC Song Girls and student band marched into the Galen Center last Friday, new men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman welcomed to campus by a steady drumline and the arresting swells from a handful of trumpets, just one player stood in the back of a room of donors and department employees.
And Isaiah Collier’s presence seemed notable, draped in a black “SC” hoodie, the freshman point guard long assumed to be headed for a potential lottery selection in June’s NBA draft. After Musselman’s introductory presser finished, the two met for a conversation in broad daylight in Galen, exchanging smiles and daps in an interaction that begged the question: If Collier wasn’t interested in staying at USC, why was he here?
It stoked a spark that Collier could form the hard-nosed attack of Musselman’s first USC program upon the Trojans’ entry to the Big Ten Conference. But on Wednesday, USC confirmed in a Twitter announcement that Collier had declared for the draft after all, a 6-foot-5 lead guard with ready-made size and frame for the next level.
He hadn’t accomplished all he had hoped to in college, as USC struggled to a disappointing 15-18 season and a quarterfinal exit in the Pac-12 Tournament. And Collier’s season got off to a messy start, scoring in explosive bunches at the rim but struggling with the speed of the college game at both ends of the court, racking up more turnovers than assists through his first six games.
After returning from a hand injury, he displayed much-improved poise in crucial moments, flashing a steadier jumper and a more measured approach as USC went on a surge. Over his last 11 games, Collier averaged 4.5 assists against 2.8 turnovers, adding 17.6 points on 37.5% shooting from 3-point range.
He’s still just 19, and concerns over defensive lapses, ball control and his shot will accompany him to the NBA level, drooping his draft stock after being tabbed as a potential No. 1 overall pick early in the…
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