USC basketball updates on the FBI, Nikola Vucevic, Bennie Boatwright and more (2/25)

While USC basketball can take heart from recent NCAA rulings, Trojan alumni are coming alive from Nikola Vucevic getting better with age to Bennie Boatwright and Kevin Porter Jr. finding their way in the G-League.

Here's what's been happening lately...

Good news on the FBI front

Like USC, South Carolina was embroiled in the FBI investigation that rocked NCAA basketball. Their penalties were just handed down and they were...light.

In fact, the Gamecocks were not given a postseason ban and had most of their self-imposed penalties accepted. Former assistant Lamont Evans was hit with a 10-year show-cause penalty.

Consider this great news for the USC basketball program, which still awaits a ruling on former assistant coach Tony Bland. Every school that gets a slap on the wrist puts the Trojans that much closer to getting the same.

Nikola Vucevic is an All-Star again

Is Nikola Vucevic quietly one of the best NBA players ever produced by USC basketball?

Sure, the Magic center has never been a true star, but he's now a two-time All-Star with a decade of consistently strong performances on his record.

Vucevic is USC's all-time leader in NBA rebounds and blocks and ranks fifth with a career scoring average of 16.5.

And he seems to be getting better with age.

Bennie Boatwright is thriving in the G-League

While Vucevic has carved out an impressive career, Bennie Boatwright is just getting his started.

Playing for the Memphis Hustle in the G-League, the former Trojan has put hip back-to-back 20-point outings.

It started with 26 against the Raptors 905 and continued with 21 against G League Ignite.

Boatwright went undrafted in 2019 and couldn't play as a rookie because of a knee injury. He's been with the Grizzlies' G-League affiliate, looking to prove his worth. The points speak for themselves.

Kevin Porter Jr. also going off in the G-League

Another former Trojan is taking the G-League by storm: Kevin Porter Jr.

KPJ is leading the league in scoring and recorded a triple-double on Wednesday night with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' affiliate.

There's no denying Porter Jr.'s immense talent. He just needs the right space to grow. Hopefully the G-League will set him up for success in Houston down the line.