Could Marvin Bagley Join USC Basketball’s 2017 Recruiting Class?

A report suggesting Marvin Bagley, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, is considering reclassification to 2017 could be a game-changer for USC Basketball.

Hold onto your hats USC Basketball fans, the recruiting whirlwind just got even more exciting.

Jerry Meyer, the Director of Basketball Scouting at 247Sports, reported late Thursday night that five-star power forward Marvin Bagley is not only seriously considering joining USC Basketball, but could be looking to reclassify into the 2017 recruiting class.

Bagley is the nation’s No. 1 recruit for 2018, but he could opt to skip his senior year and become a late addition for the 2017-18 season.

Here’s what Meyer reported regarding Bagley, a 2017 reclassification and USC or Duke has his destination:

"An interesting note in Bagley’s recruitment is some intel that has come to 247Sports of the possibility of him reclassifying up to the 2017 class. Bagley is scheduled to visit Duke and Coach K and staff have been doggedly tracking him. But the buzz is that hometown USC could be his desired destination as a potential 2017 recruit. Andy Enfield has been a familiar face at his games, but so have John Calipari and Sean Miller. In the end, though, Bagley’s recruitment has the feel of a Duke and USC showdown."

The possibility that Bagley is not only considering USC heavily but could be looking to join up for the coming season is an absolute game-changer for the Trojans.

USC was already set to enter the 2017-18 campaign as a Top 10 caliber squad. Adding Bagley would only add to expectations of a deep NCAA Tournament run. Talk of a national championship run would not be off the rails.

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Bagley is a supremely-gifted, 6-10, 190-pound power forward who ranks No. 1 nationally in just about every recruiting service. His presence would elevate any team he is considering into the national elite.

However, there are some very sizable hurdles to clear.

First and foremost, the Trojans are competing with a basketball powerhouse in Duke and head coach Mike Krzyzewski, not to mention Kansas, another heavy hitter vying for the player. USC may have geography on their side, but when it comes to established brands, it’s tough to beat the Blue Devils and Jawhawks.

Still, Meyer recently projected Bagley to sign with USC in the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions. Dain Ervin, a talent evaluator for BIReports, has also predicted the Trojans to win that race.

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More critically, USC doesn’t have room for Bagley as it stands.

NCAA scholarship limits for men’s basketball stand at 13. The Trojans have 13 scholarship players on the roster after the NBA Draft withdrawals of Bennie Boatwright, Elijah Stewart and Shaqquon Aaron plus the addition of three 2017 recruits, including Charles O’Bannon Jr., Jordan Usher and Victor Uyaelunmo.

In order for Bagley to reclassify and join USC for the upcoming seaso

n something would have to change. A transfer away could certainly come into play, but it’s tough to figure who that departure could be.

Shaqquon Aaron considered a move to the NBA this spring as his role on the team going forward became murky by the end of the season. Any other potential departure would come as a slight surprise.

Should Bagley decide to stay in the 2018 class, his consideration of USC remains a huge deal. The Trojans already boast the nation’s top recruiting class thanks to recent commitments from Top 75 recruits like Taeshon Cherry, Kevin Porter Jr. and J’Raan Brooks.