USC basketball lands frontcourt depth via transfer Jaden Brownell from Samford

USC basketball fans knew that it wouldn't take long. Coach Eric Musselman may have seen some early offseason setbacks, but the Trojans HC grabbed a victory after a series of untimely news for the program since the season ended. Now-former Samford forward Jaden Brownell will be coming to Los Angeles, as shared by On3's Transfer Portal X account on social media.

This will be the fourth season for the Utah native in college. Brownell redshirted his true freshman year. As someone who saw consistent playing time in his first and second playing years with the Bulldogs team, there is a lot to like about his style of play.

He offers some more frontcourt depth, which was an area that USC needed to fill. Coming in around 6'9" and 230 lbs., his size will be an immediate asset for coach Musselman to be able to turn to. Knowing who is returning and with Alijah Arenas coming to campus, the Trojans needed someone steady to be able to fill a versatile role as needed, and the junior's skill set matches this need exactly.

Watching Brownell play, it's clear why coach Musselman sought to add him to the Trojans roster. He can stretch the floor, as is needed by most bigs in today's game. More importantly, he does an excellent job of playing within the half-court setting and rolling to the rim on every drive.

 What USC basketball fans will especially enjoy is how he has a great ability to fight through contact and finish tough buckets at the rim in traffic. His off-ball activity and constant motor will likely quickly make him a fan favorite among the Trojan faithful.

Expanding minutes at USC basketball

A lot of the physical traits are there, and his work rate is clear. The only area that will allow for some concern is his up-to-this-point limited playing time. In 2024-2025, he averaged only 13.9 minutes of playing time. He is likely to see his workload increase, and that can be challenging for some who are used to playing in more limited minutes.

Considering his hustle and ability to play within himself, that shouldn't be an issue, and coach Musselman will be able to trust in Brownell's ability to take on added responsibility. There's a reason the HC went into the portal to bring the forward to LA. USC basketball fans will increasingly love this move as the Trojans progress deeper into the season.