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Bennie Boatwright’s decision to return to USC basketball for his junior season in 2017-18 sent Twitter abuzz with excitement for the coming campaign.
When the 2016-17 season ended, USC basketball looked ahead with tentative excitement. If the Trojans could get the key players to return, the hype around the program would reach a fever pitch.
But that was a big if.
Now, it’s a reality as Bennie Boatwright announced his intention to return to USC despite entering his name in the NBA Draft pool.
With Boatwright back in the fold, the Trojans are one of the hot commodities in the Pac-12 going into next season. At least, that’s the word from Twitter, which exploded with the news of the forward’s return just as the NFL Draft was set to begin.
Here’s the best of the social media reaction to the big news:
Year 3?❤️? @USC_Hoops pic.twitter.com/rKzl1w8CRn
— Bennie Boatwright (@benniebuckets__) April 27, 2017
BENNIE'S BACK!@benniebuckets__ announces that he will RETURN to USC for his junior season. #ItTakesATeam pic.twitter.com/BULIDpnGWD
— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) April 27, 2017
With Bennie Boatwright coming back, #USC is the second-best team in the Pac-12. And a top-15 team in the country. https://t.co/G4BNTrcwiH
— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) April 27, 2017
#USC has all the key pieces back from last year and is adding a McDonalds All-American. Arguably PAC-12 favorites.
— Jackson Safon (@JacksonSafon) April 27, 2017
USC football and hoops right now. pic.twitter.com/MIN1r3wJ5e
— Saman Djabbari (@samandjabbari) April 27, 2017
With Bennie Boatwright returning, USC is likely t0 have their highest preseason ranking since 1970s and first preseason ranking since 2009. https://t.co/yREAEhE8IZ
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) April 27, 2017
Dude you stole my phrase https://t.co/gqnITiup9P
— Chimezie Metu™ (@Chimezie_Metu) April 27, 2017
Can I be like chimezie Metu for a day, leave me alone???
— Bennie Boatwright (@benniebuckets__) April 27, 2017
USC's starters: McLaughlin, Melton, Stewart, Boatwright, Metu. Derryck Thornton, Charles O'Bannon Jr., Jonah Mathews off the bench. Stacked.
— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) April 27, 2017
USC's Bennie Boatwright is returning for his junior year. 6-10 sniper. Huge news for the Trojans, who will be a top 10-15 team.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) April 27, 2017
With @benniebuckets__ back, @USC_Hoops retains 7 of their top 8 scorers while adding a McDonald's AA AND former 5-star recruit. Watch out.
— Jacob Freedman (@Jacob_Freedman) April 27, 2017
I don't know how to comprehend #USC basketball having everyone coming back.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) April 27, 2017
USC was underranked in most post-title game top 25s, in my opinion. There might not be five teams more talented. https://t.co/FxrD6w1b1E
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 27, 2017
Return of Bennie Boatwright gives USC one of the top frontlines next season. Paired with Metu, could be a dark horse team out west
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) April 28, 2017
Chimezie Metu’s back. Elijah Stewart’s back. And now Bennie Boatwright returns for USC. Gonna be a fun year I imagine https://t.co/I8AYI3cvOS
— Evan Barnes〽️ (@evan_b) April 27, 2017
Bennie Boatwright will be returning to USC next season, per reports. Had explored draft process. Trojans will be VERY DANGEROUS next season.
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) April 27, 2017
I’ve been relatively hard on Boatwright as an NBA guy, but dude is a god damned sniper as a shooter, and improved all-around game as soph.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 27, 2017
BBB now means benny boatwright's back
— 7️⃣ (@SevenCostanzaa) April 27, 2017
Boatwright's return gives #USC hoops most talent & depth since 06-07. That team reached Sweet 16, 3rd in Pac. This one should too - minimum.
— Adam Maya (@AdamJMaya) April 28, 2017
Boatwright joins Chimezie Metu, Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart as potential NBA draft departures who have opted to return to USC for what is shaping up to be an exciting season.