Post by alanmiller on Oct 11, 2016 21:30:23 GMT -5
by Zach Helfand
Speaking in front of a dozen counterparts in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, USC basketball Coach Andy Enfield expressed some envy for many coaches in the room. They’d all coached a senior scholarship player before.
Enfield wouldn’t know what that’s like as he enters his fourth season at USC. He’s still waiting for one.
“It seems like we’re young every year,” Enfield said during his remarks at the 2016 Southern California Basketball Coaches Tip-Off Luncheon. “But the nice thing is we have some returners that have some experience.”
Enfield and USC have weathered an off-season of unusual attrition. Four players transferred, including shooting guard Katin Reinhardt, a starter for much of last season.
Most puzzling were the departures of point guard Julian Jacobs and forward Nikola Jovanovic for the NBA. Neither was drafted, though Jacobs signed with the Lakers and Jovanovic signed with the Detroit Pistons.
The exodus caught Enfield by surprise.
“Julian and Nikola made decisions that they felt were in the best interest for their career and future,” Enfield said after the event, which hosted 13 Southland coaches. “And we wish them the best. At the same time, it is hard to recruit another big in the fall. And Julian, he had a great season. And so sometimes in this business, you don’t anticipate things happening, personnel-wise. But you have to make the best of it.”
Instead of experience, Enfield has gotten an influx of talent, including four freshmen and three transfers. Among the latter is Derryck Thornton Jr. from Duke, who will sit out this season.
The Trojans’ starting five won’t be the issue. Point guard Jordan McLaughlin returns as a veteran leader, as do shooting guard Elijah Stewart and forwards Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu. Shaqquan Aaron, who sat out last season after transferring from Louisville, is likely to fill out the starting lineup.
But the team’s depth in Enfield’s up-tempo system will be tested. Injuries, Enfield said, could be costly. Boatwright, an honorable mention for the Pac-12 All-Freshman team, has missed time with hip tendinitis, but Enfield said he doesn’t expect the injury to be serious.
“Hopefully, they can stay healthy,” Enfield said. “If that’s the case, the depth will be fine.”
Speaking in front of a dozen counterparts in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, USC basketball Coach Andy Enfield expressed some envy for many coaches in the room. They’d all coached a senior scholarship player before.
Enfield wouldn’t know what that’s like as he enters his fourth season at USC. He’s still waiting for one.
“It seems like we’re young every year,” Enfield said during his remarks at the 2016 Southern California Basketball Coaches Tip-Off Luncheon. “But the nice thing is we have some returners that have some experience.”
Enfield and USC have weathered an off-season of unusual attrition. Four players transferred, including shooting guard Katin Reinhardt, a starter for much of last season.
Most puzzling were the departures of point guard Julian Jacobs and forward Nikola Jovanovic for the NBA. Neither was drafted, though Jacobs signed with the Lakers and Jovanovic signed with the Detroit Pistons.
The exodus caught Enfield by surprise.
“Julian and Nikola made decisions that they felt were in the best interest for their career and future,” Enfield said after the event, which hosted 13 Southland coaches. “And we wish them the best. At the same time, it is hard to recruit another big in the fall. And Julian, he had a great season. And so sometimes in this business, you don’t anticipate things happening, personnel-wise. But you have to make the best of it.”
Instead of experience, Enfield has gotten an influx of talent, including four freshmen and three transfers. Among the latter is Derryck Thornton Jr. from Duke, who will sit out this season.
The Trojans’ starting five won’t be the issue. Point guard Jordan McLaughlin returns as a veteran leader, as do shooting guard Elijah Stewart and forwards Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu. Shaqquan Aaron, who sat out last season after transferring from Louisville, is likely to fill out the starting lineup.
But the team’s depth in Enfield’s up-tempo system will be tested. Injuries, Enfield said, could be costly. Boatwright, an honorable mention for the Pac-12 All-Freshman team, has missed time with hip tendinitis, but Enfield said he doesn’t expect the injury to be serious.
“Hopefully, they can stay healthy,” Enfield said. “If that’s the case, the depth will be fine.”
