Former USC basketball guard Wesley Yates returns to Washington

In something of an unsurprising development for USC basketball, coming off his redshirt freshman season, Wesley Yates III will be a member of the Washington Huskies again. The guard came to Los Angeles and joined his cousin, coach Quincy Pondexter, as a Trojan for 2024-2025.

At this time, it's unknown if coach Pondexter will also return to the Huskies' sideline, but he is no longer with the Trojans. For now, Yates' announcement on social media that there is some "unfinished business" will be an additional void for coach Eric Musselman to fill this offseason.

As things stand at the moment, the Trojans are in a good place. Having recently received the commitment from Drew Fielder via the portal, the former Georgetown center will add important frontcourt depth. Alijah Arenas is also going to be an exciting freshman for the side this upcoming season.

With the latest portal update from Yates, the overall potential roster is still looking strong for coach Musselman heading into his second year. Saint Thomas, Rashaun Agee, and Terrance Williams II are all expected back for a final collegiate year under the new NCAA rules that will afford them that opportunity, and the returning group has a lot of positives to build on from this past season.

Nothing lining up for USC basketball

There have been some high school and portal decisions that haven't gone USC's way, but the Trojans HC has proven the ability to do well in the ever-changing college landscape. Until something more concrete comes through the pipeline to make up for the latest recruiting losses, that will do little to comfort the fanbase.

Until then, the Yates transfer back to UW doesn't necessarily come at all as a surprise. The conglomeration, though, of losing Drew Fielder and Elzie Harrington as well as him going back to Washington only further throws salt on the wounds for what has been a poor start to the USC basketball offseason.