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USC Women Head To Hawai’i For Rainbow Wahine Showdown
November 21, 2017 | Women's Basketball, Features
WEEKLY RELEASE (PDF)USC-PURDUE LIVE STATSUSC-MARIST LIVE STATSUSC-HAWAI'I LIVE STATSUSC-HAWAI'I LIVE STREAM
Women of Troy will face Purdue, Marist and host Hawai’i in the three-day event in Honolulu.
THIS WEEK
USC packs up its 4-0 record and heads out to Hawai'i this week to engage in three games in three days out at the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu. The Women of Troy are due to open up against Purdue (3-1) at 3 p.m. HT/5 p.m. PT on Friday (Nov. 24) before taking on Marist (1-2) at 3 p.m. HT/5 p.m. PT on Saturday (Nov. 25). USC will wrap up the event against host Hawai'i (3-1) at 5 p.m. HT/7 p.m. PT on Sunday (Nov. 26). USC head coach Mark Trakh enters the Showdown with 397 career wins as a head coach, putting him three victories away of his 400th career win.
IN THE NATION
USC is unranked in this week's preseason polls. Purdue, Marist and Hawai'i also are unranked.
SCOUTING PURDUE
The Boilermakers are 3-1 overall after suffering their first defeat of the season on Monday against Pac-12 foe Utah, 81-68, in Salt Lake City. Purdue is led in scoring and rebounding by Ae'Rianna Harris with 14.8 points per game and 9.0 boards per game. In total, four different players average double-digits points. Friday's game against the Boilermakers will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
SCOUTING MARIST
The Red Foxes are 1-2 overall after a 78-72 defeat at the hands of Northeastern University last Sunday in Boston. Rebekah Hand leads Marist in scoring with 19.0 points per game, while Maura Fitzpatrick leads the team in rebounds with 8.0 per game. Saturday's meeting with the Red Foxes will be the first-ever between the two schools.
SCOUTING HAWAI'I
The Rainbow Wahine are 3-1 overall after a 64-63 OT win last Sunday over San Diego in the Bank of Hawai'i Classic Tournament final in Honolulu. Sarah Toeaina leads Hawai'i in scoring with 14.0 points per game, while Makenna Woodfolk hauls in 8.5 rebounds per game. USC is 5-0 all-time against the Wahine in a series that dates back to the 1982-83 season, while the last meeting was a 76-44 victory for the Women of Troy at the Galen Center last season. Furthermore, Hawai'i head coach Laura Beeman previously served as an associate head coach (2010-12) at USC prior to Hawai'i.
LAST GAME
USC improved its winning push to the 2017-18 season by posting a 75-60 win over visiting Long Beach State on Monday night at Galen Center. The win boosted the Trojans to 4-0 overall, while a trio of Trojans hit double digits, including double-double outings from Aliyah Mazyck and Kristen Simon. USC was hot out of the gates in shooting 67 percent from the floor in the first 10 minutes before cooling in the second quarter to stand at 50 percent from the floor in the first half of action. Still, the Trojans were outpacing Long Beach State's 26.5 percent first-half effort, while two Trojans — Sadie Edwards and Kristen Simon — were in double digits by halftime. During the second half, Simon worked her way into her first double-double of the year while Aliyah Mazyck notched the first double-double of her career. The junior finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Simon wrapped up with 20 points and 12 boards. Edwards led the Trojan scoring with 25 points, as USC finished out the game shooting 44.4 percent from the floor and out rebounding the 49ers 46-31. Long Beach State received a game-high 29 points from Shanaijah Davison to go with 12 from Ma'Qhi Berry and 10 from Martina McCowan. LBSU shot 33 percent in the game after heating up to 60 percent in the fourth quarter.
STRONG START
USC made it a memorable home opener under head coach Mark Trakh, with the Women of Troy going big for a 98-47 victory over visiting Montana State. Behind a career-high 30 points from Sadie Edwards, USC had five Trojans hit double digits while the team hit program records with 13 3-pointers made and only two turnovers committed. The win puts USC at a 1-0 mark out of the gates for this 2017-18 season. USC had Edwards and Kristen Simon in double digits by halftime as the Trojans shot 59 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes of action to lead the Bobcats 50-26 at the break. Montana State was hitting at a 37-percent clip and had landed six 3-pointers, but USC's production and defensive interruptions were too much for the Bobcats out of the gates. The Trojans were able to heat up further in the second half, shooting 61.5 percent from the floor to finish out the game at a hot-handed 60.3 percent. That well outpaced MSU's 35 percent shooting. USC also eclipsed the Bobcats from beyond the arc, landing a program-best 13 threes in the game — sparked by career-highs of six and five 3-pointers landed by Aliyah Mazyck and Edwards, respectively. USC wrapped the game with five Trojans in double digits, led by Edwards' career-high 30 points. Mazyck was next with 18 points, with Minyon Moore close behind with 17 points to go along with nine assists. Also joining the double-digit club for the Trojans were Simon and Jordan Adams with 13 and 11, respectively. Montana State had one player hit double digits, with Madeline Smith scoring 13 for the Bobcats. USC also outrebounded MSU 35-28 while committing only two turnovers — a program single-game record. USC's 13 three hit in the game also was a record, matching the program's single-game best.
STAY GOLD
These two simple words are being used to define a new culture shift and a hopeful rebirth of the storied USC women's basketball program under the direction of newly-minted Trojan head coach Mark Trakh. "With this team, it's all about the culture," Trakh said. "We want the golden standard of cultures here at USC and to get our kids to be on the same page — to work hard, work together, play together hard offensively and defensively, be consistent with that effort, and represent the university well on and off the floor. I think that's the formula to winning and getting back in the tournament, and having that structure will go a long way for us this year and moving forward." #StayGold
TROJAN GREATNESS
USC senior Kristen Simon has received national acclaim as one of the nation's top-20 centers named to the watch list for the 2018 Lisa Leslie Award. The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association released their selections on Nov. 10. The award — named for Trojan great Lisa Leslie, who was a three-time All-American and 1994 National Player of the Year during her time at USC — will honor the nation's top center, to be announced at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. This 20-player watch list will narrow to 10 in mid-February before five finalists are revealed in March. Simon, a 6-2 post who officially starts her senior season with the Women of Troy tonight in USC's home opener at 4 p.m., was named to the All-Pac-12 Team as a junior. She led the Trojans in scoring (14.6 points per game) and rebounding (8.7 rebounds per game) in the 2016-17 campaign. The versatile Simon has collected 18 double-doubles in her USC career to date, boasting a 21-rebound performance as a sophomore to net the fourth most single-game records ever by a Trojan. That effort was just two boards away from the career-best posted by Leslie while she was a Trojan.
LOOK WHO'S BACK
Mark Trakh is no stranger to the demands of being a head coach in one of the premier conferences for women's basketball. During his first tenure at USC (2004-09), he compiled a 90-64 overall record, making back-to-back NCAA appearances before a series of promising seasons that were eventually derailed by injuries to key players. Trakh also was able to compile an 8-3 record against crosstown rival UCLA while winning at least 17 games in each season as head coach. In his 22 years as a head coach — spanning Pepperdine, USC, New Mexico State and now a second stretch at USC — he has led his teams to eight NCAA appearances while building up a 393-267 career coaching record. For this 2017-18 season, Trakh has brought in associate head coach Jason Glover and assistant coaches Aarika Hughes, who played for Trakh at USC, and Blanche Alverson as his coaching staff.
SUPER SENIOR
Jordan Adams, a 6-1 guard from Irvine, Calif., was granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA after a season-ending knee injury last year. Now, the captain is back to bring a veteran presence at the point guard position. Prior to her injury, the former McDonald's All-American was having her best season in a Trojan uniform, averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and shooting over 55 percent from the floor in five games.
MORE SENIOR STRENGTH
Sadie Edwards, a 5-10 guard who earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention after playing in all 30 games and starting the final 22 games last season, returns in the backcourt. The Connecticut product finished second on the team in 3-pointers made last season (24) and averaged 9.2 ppg, often being called upon to hit big shots. Bringing additional experience and leadership in the post is All-Pac-12 Team honoree Kristen Simon, who holds 17 career double-doubles to her name. Simon led USC in scoring (14.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg) as a junior, starting all 27 games in which she appeared. The 6-2 Gardena, Calif. product also played the second most minutes per game last season (behind former guard Courtney Jaco) and will look to have another star-studded season as a senior starter.
HIGH POWER DOWN LOW
USC also has a quartet of young post players in sophomore forwards Asiah Jones, Ja'Tavia Tapley, Dani Milisic, and junior forward Marguerite Effa — all of whom are hoping to make 2017-18 their breakout seasons. Jones, an athletic 6-3 post played in 29 games as a true freshman and made some noise when she delivered eight blocks in a game against Mississippi State last season, the most by a USC player since Trojan great Lisa Leslie had eight in 1993 and the third most blocks ever recorded by a Trojan in a single game. She led USC in blocks last season with 35. Tapley, a versatile 6-3 forward, showed flashes of her potential last season after appearing in all 30 games and starting the last 15 of the year as a freshman. She set career highs with 15 points against Arizona and eight rebounds against WSU and averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Also returning is redshirt sophomore Milisic, who brings both strength and length in the post. The 6-4 Australian looms as USC's tallest player on the roster this season. Milisic made her Trojan debut last year, playing in 20 games and shooting 40 percent from the floor. Rounding out the post players is 6-3 junior Effa, a native of Cameroon who prepped in Los Angeles and who boasts tremendous athletic ability. In addition to their defensive abilities, Trakh looks to these four to expand their offensive range and provide some support in the frontcourt for Simon.
BACK FOR MOORE
USC's 5-8 sophomore guard Minyon Moore was undoubtedly USC's spark plug off the bench last season, playing in all 30 games and leading the team in assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.9 spg) in addition to finishing second in scoring (11.7 ppg). The Pac-12 All-Freshman Team selection shot 38 percent from 3-point range last season and also made a living at the free-throw line, shooting nearly twice as many free throws as the next player on the team. Trakh will rely on Moore to provide leadership and a big punch in the backcourt with her skills as a savvy distributor and sure scorer.
SPEEDY MAZYCK
USC returns the services of 5-9 junior guard Aliyah Mazyck, a tireless defender with burning quickness who averaged 6.6 ppg and 1.5 steals per game in 19 games last season. With her speed and threat from beyond the arc, a fully healthy Mazyck is guaranteed to cause huge problems for opponents this season.
THE NEW CREW
The Trojans have two newcomers at the guard position, true freshmen Shalexxus Aaron and transfer Mariya Moore. Aaron, a 6-1 guard from Apple Valley, Calif., is the sister of current USC men's basketball player Shaqquan Aaron and was a CIF Southern Section First Team selection and CIF All-State Second Team pick as a senior in 2017. The headliner, however, is All-American caliber guard in Mariya Moore. Mariya, the older sister of current sophomore Minyon, transferred to USC following three successful years at Louisville where she was a three-time selection to the Naismith Trophy Watch List and an All-ACC Second Team performer as a junior for the Cardinal after averaging 12.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 4.9 apg and helping Louisville to the Sweet Sixteen. A jack of all trades, the 6-0 Moore finished in the top-10 at Louisville in career assists, 3-pointers made, and free throws made, and No. 13 all-time in career points (1,365), while registering five career double-doubles and one triple double (11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Syracuse). Moore will sit out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have one year of eligibility at Troy.
LAST SEASON
USC finished up the 2016-17 season with a 14-16 overall record in head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke's fourth season at Troy. In Pac-12 play, USC finished tied for ninth place at 5-12 and fell in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament to eight-seeded Cal. At the close of the season, junior Kristen Simon picked up a place on the All-Pac-12 Team, while senior Courtney Jaco earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention. Freshman Minyon Moore, who was a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and USBWA National Freshman of the Week during the season, was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. Simon was USC's top scorer and rebounder with 14.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Moore led the team in assists (4.0 per game) and steals (1.9 per game). Jaco moved up to rank No. 2 all-time at USC in career 3-pointers as she added a team-high 68 threes to her career count in her final season at Troy.
COMMITTED!
USC has added two new members to the Trojan family, as head coach Mark Trakh announced the signings of Jillian Archer and Desiree Caldwell to national letters of intent on Nov. 8. Archer and Caldwell will bring much-needed depth to their respective positions once they arrive on campus, as both prep standouts are set to don the Cardinal and Gold in the fall of 2018. A 6-2 forward from Santa Monica, Calif., Jillian Archer has made a name for herself as one of the best young rebounders and post players in the country. Ranked as the No. 47 overall player and No. 7 forward in the nation according to ESPN, Archer also currently ranks No. 54 overall and as the No. 8 forward according to ProspectsNation. Archer averaged 11.4 points per game to go along with 10.3 rebounds per game as a junior at Bishop Alemany HS in Mission Hills. Archer earned a spot on the All-CIF Southern Section Open Division First Team after she led her Lady Warriors to the CIF Southern California Division 1 Regional State Semifinals. A 5-6 point guard, Desiree "Desi" Caldwell hails from San Antonio, Texas. Ranked the No. 13 guard and the No. 74 overall player in the country according to ESPN, Caldwell currently sits as the nation's No. 14 overall player and No. 5 guard in the land according to ProspectsNation. Caldwell is a quick and savvy floor general who brings multiple years of international experience to Troy, having been part of the USA Basketball U16 National Team where she set the U16 assists record during her play in the 2015 FIBA Americas Tournament Championship. In that tournament held in Puebla, Mexico, she helped Team USA bring home the bronze medal with a 4-1 record. Caldwell will play her senior year of basketball at Byron P. Steele II HS in Cibolo, Texas, after playing one varsity season at Claudia Taylor Johnson HS in San Antonio. As a freshman, Caldwell compiled 316 points, 46 rebounds, 33 assists, and 23 steals, shooting 38 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Although Caldwell has spent the majority of her life in Texas, both of her parents are from California and surrounding Los Angeles areas. Her older sister, Recee, also started her collegiate basketball career at nearby UCLA before transferring to Texas Tech. Caldwell's international experience plus her extensive basketball background will serve her well when she arrives at USC.
USC packs up its 4-0 record and heads out to Hawai'i this week to engage in three games in three days out at the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu. The Women of Troy are due to open up against Purdue (3-1) at 3 p.m. HT/5 p.m. PT on Friday (Nov. 24) before taking on Marist (1-2) at 3 p.m. HT/5 p.m. PT on Saturday (Nov. 25). USC will wrap up the event against host Hawai'i (3-1) at 5 p.m. HT/7 p.m. PT on Sunday (Nov. 26). USC head coach Mark Trakh enters the Showdown with 397 career wins as a head coach, putting him three victories away of his 400th career win.
IN THE NATION
USC is unranked in this week's preseason polls. Purdue, Marist and Hawai'i also are unranked.
SCOUTING PURDUE
The Boilermakers are 3-1 overall after suffering their first defeat of the season on Monday against Pac-12 foe Utah, 81-68, in Salt Lake City. Purdue is led in scoring and rebounding by Ae'Rianna Harris with 14.8 points per game and 9.0 boards per game. In total, four different players average double-digits points. Friday's game against the Boilermakers will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
SCOUTING MARIST
The Red Foxes are 1-2 overall after a 78-72 defeat at the hands of Northeastern University last Sunday in Boston. Rebekah Hand leads Marist in scoring with 19.0 points per game, while Maura Fitzpatrick leads the team in rebounds with 8.0 per game. Saturday's meeting with the Red Foxes will be the first-ever between the two schools.
SCOUTING HAWAI'I
The Rainbow Wahine are 3-1 overall after a 64-63 OT win last Sunday over San Diego in the Bank of Hawai'i Classic Tournament final in Honolulu. Sarah Toeaina leads Hawai'i in scoring with 14.0 points per game, while Makenna Woodfolk hauls in 8.5 rebounds per game. USC is 5-0 all-time against the Wahine in a series that dates back to the 1982-83 season, while the last meeting was a 76-44 victory for the Women of Troy at the Galen Center last season. Furthermore, Hawai'i head coach Laura Beeman previously served as an associate head coach (2010-12) at USC prior to Hawai'i.
LAST GAME
USC improved its winning push to the 2017-18 season by posting a 75-60 win over visiting Long Beach State on Monday night at Galen Center. The win boosted the Trojans to 4-0 overall, while a trio of Trojans hit double digits, including double-double outings from Aliyah Mazyck and Kristen Simon. USC was hot out of the gates in shooting 67 percent from the floor in the first 10 minutes before cooling in the second quarter to stand at 50 percent from the floor in the first half of action. Still, the Trojans were outpacing Long Beach State's 26.5 percent first-half effort, while two Trojans — Sadie Edwards and Kristen Simon — were in double digits by halftime. During the second half, Simon worked her way into her first double-double of the year while Aliyah Mazyck notched the first double-double of her career. The junior finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Simon wrapped up with 20 points and 12 boards. Edwards led the Trojan scoring with 25 points, as USC finished out the game shooting 44.4 percent from the floor and out rebounding the 49ers 46-31. Long Beach State received a game-high 29 points from Shanaijah Davison to go with 12 from Ma'Qhi Berry and 10 from Martina McCowan. LBSU shot 33 percent in the game after heating up to 60 percent in the fourth quarter.
STRONG START
USC made it a memorable home opener under head coach Mark Trakh, with the Women of Troy going big for a 98-47 victory over visiting Montana State. Behind a career-high 30 points from Sadie Edwards, USC had five Trojans hit double digits while the team hit program records with 13 3-pointers made and only two turnovers committed. The win puts USC at a 1-0 mark out of the gates for this 2017-18 season. USC had Edwards and Kristen Simon in double digits by halftime as the Trojans shot 59 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes of action to lead the Bobcats 50-26 at the break. Montana State was hitting at a 37-percent clip and had landed six 3-pointers, but USC's production and defensive interruptions were too much for the Bobcats out of the gates. The Trojans were able to heat up further in the second half, shooting 61.5 percent from the floor to finish out the game at a hot-handed 60.3 percent. That well outpaced MSU's 35 percent shooting. USC also eclipsed the Bobcats from beyond the arc, landing a program-best 13 threes in the game — sparked by career-highs of six and five 3-pointers landed by Aliyah Mazyck and Edwards, respectively. USC wrapped the game with five Trojans in double digits, led by Edwards' career-high 30 points. Mazyck was next with 18 points, with Minyon Moore close behind with 17 points to go along with nine assists. Also joining the double-digit club for the Trojans were Simon and Jordan Adams with 13 and 11, respectively. Montana State had one player hit double digits, with Madeline Smith scoring 13 for the Bobcats. USC also outrebounded MSU 35-28 while committing only two turnovers — a program single-game record. USC's 13 three hit in the game also was a record, matching the program's single-game best.
STAY GOLD
These two simple words are being used to define a new culture shift and a hopeful rebirth of the storied USC women's basketball program under the direction of newly-minted Trojan head coach Mark Trakh. "With this team, it's all about the culture," Trakh said. "We want the golden standard of cultures here at USC and to get our kids to be on the same page — to work hard, work together, play together hard offensively and defensively, be consistent with that effort, and represent the university well on and off the floor. I think that's the formula to winning and getting back in the tournament, and having that structure will go a long way for us this year and moving forward." #StayGold
TROJAN GREATNESS
USC senior Kristen Simon has received national acclaim as one of the nation's top-20 centers named to the watch list for the 2018 Lisa Leslie Award. The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association released their selections on Nov. 10. The award — named for Trojan great Lisa Leslie, who was a three-time All-American and 1994 National Player of the Year during her time at USC — will honor the nation's top center, to be announced at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. This 20-player watch list will narrow to 10 in mid-February before five finalists are revealed in March. Simon, a 6-2 post who officially starts her senior season with the Women of Troy tonight in USC's home opener at 4 p.m., was named to the All-Pac-12 Team as a junior. She led the Trojans in scoring (14.6 points per game) and rebounding (8.7 rebounds per game) in the 2016-17 campaign. The versatile Simon has collected 18 double-doubles in her USC career to date, boasting a 21-rebound performance as a sophomore to net the fourth most single-game records ever by a Trojan. That effort was just two boards away from the career-best posted by Leslie while she was a Trojan.
LOOK WHO'S BACK
Mark Trakh is no stranger to the demands of being a head coach in one of the premier conferences for women's basketball. During his first tenure at USC (2004-09), he compiled a 90-64 overall record, making back-to-back NCAA appearances before a series of promising seasons that were eventually derailed by injuries to key players. Trakh also was able to compile an 8-3 record against crosstown rival UCLA while winning at least 17 games in each season as head coach. In his 22 years as a head coach — spanning Pepperdine, USC, New Mexico State and now a second stretch at USC — he has led his teams to eight NCAA appearances while building up a 393-267 career coaching record. For this 2017-18 season, Trakh has brought in associate head coach Jason Glover and assistant coaches Aarika Hughes, who played for Trakh at USC, and Blanche Alverson as his coaching staff.
SUPER SENIOR
Jordan Adams, a 6-1 guard from Irvine, Calif., was granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA after a season-ending knee injury last year. Now, the captain is back to bring a veteran presence at the point guard position. Prior to her injury, the former McDonald's All-American was having her best season in a Trojan uniform, averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and shooting over 55 percent from the floor in five games.
MORE SENIOR STRENGTH
Sadie Edwards, a 5-10 guard who earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention after playing in all 30 games and starting the final 22 games last season, returns in the backcourt. The Connecticut product finished second on the team in 3-pointers made last season (24) and averaged 9.2 ppg, often being called upon to hit big shots. Bringing additional experience and leadership in the post is All-Pac-12 Team honoree Kristen Simon, who holds 17 career double-doubles to her name. Simon led USC in scoring (14.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg) as a junior, starting all 27 games in which she appeared. The 6-2 Gardena, Calif. product also played the second most minutes per game last season (behind former guard Courtney Jaco) and will look to have another star-studded season as a senior starter.
HIGH POWER DOWN LOW
USC also has a quartet of young post players in sophomore forwards Asiah Jones, Ja'Tavia Tapley, Dani Milisic, and junior forward Marguerite Effa — all of whom are hoping to make 2017-18 their breakout seasons. Jones, an athletic 6-3 post played in 29 games as a true freshman and made some noise when she delivered eight blocks in a game against Mississippi State last season, the most by a USC player since Trojan great Lisa Leslie had eight in 1993 and the third most blocks ever recorded by a Trojan in a single game. She led USC in blocks last season with 35. Tapley, a versatile 6-3 forward, showed flashes of her potential last season after appearing in all 30 games and starting the last 15 of the year as a freshman. She set career highs with 15 points against Arizona and eight rebounds against WSU and averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Also returning is redshirt sophomore Milisic, who brings both strength and length in the post. The 6-4 Australian looms as USC's tallest player on the roster this season. Milisic made her Trojan debut last year, playing in 20 games and shooting 40 percent from the floor. Rounding out the post players is 6-3 junior Effa, a native of Cameroon who prepped in Los Angeles and who boasts tremendous athletic ability. In addition to their defensive abilities, Trakh looks to these four to expand their offensive range and provide some support in the frontcourt for Simon.
BACK FOR MOORE
USC's 5-8 sophomore guard Minyon Moore was undoubtedly USC's spark plug off the bench last season, playing in all 30 games and leading the team in assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.9 spg) in addition to finishing second in scoring (11.7 ppg). The Pac-12 All-Freshman Team selection shot 38 percent from 3-point range last season and also made a living at the free-throw line, shooting nearly twice as many free throws as the next player on the team. Trakh will rely on Moore to provide leadership and a big punch in the backcourt with her skills as a savvy distributor and sure scorer.
SPEEDY MAZYCK
USC returns the services of 5-9 junior guard Aliyah Mazyck, a tireless defender with burning quickness who averaged 6.6 ppg and 1.5 steals per game in 19 games last season. With her speed and threat from beyond the arc, a fully healthy Mazyck is guaranteed to cause huge problems for opponents this season.
THE NEW CREW
The Trojans have two newcomers at the guard position, true freshmen Shalexxus Aaron and transfer Mariya Moore. Aaron, a 6-1 guard from Apple Valley, Calif., is the sister of current USC men's basketball player Shaqquan Aaron and was a CIF Southern Section First Team selection and CIF All-State Second Team pick as a senior in 2017. The headliner, however, is All-American caliber guard in Mariya Moore. Mariya, the older sister of current sophomore Minyon, transferred to USC following three successful years at Louisville where she was a three-time selection to the Naismith Trophy Watch List and an All-ACC Second Team performer as a junior for the Cardinal after averaging 12.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 4.9 apg and helping Louisville to the Sweet Sixteen. A jack of all trades, the 6-0 Moore finished in the top-10 at Louisville in career assists, 3-pointers made, and free throws made, and No. 13 all-time in career points (1,365), while registering five career double-doubles and one triple double (11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Syracuse). Moore will sit out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have one year of eligibility at Troy.
LAST SEASON
USC finished up the 2016-17 season with a 14-16 overall record in head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke's fourth season at Troy. In Pac-12 play, USC finished tied for ninth place at 5-12 and fell in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament to eight-seeded Cal. At the close of the season, junior Kristen Simon picked up a place on the All-Pac-12 Team, while senior Courtney Jaco earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention. Freshman Minyon Moore, who was a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and USBWA National Freshman of the Week during the season, was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. Simon was USC's top scorer and rebounder with 14.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Moore led the team in assists (4.0 per game) and steals (1.9 per game). Jaco moved up to rank No. 2 all-time at USC in career 3-pointers as she added a team-high 68 threes to her career count in her final season at Troy.
COMMITTED!
USC has added two new members to the Trojan family, as head coach Mark Trakh announced the signings of Jillian Archer and Desiree Caldwell to national letters of intent on Nov. 8. Archer and Caldwell will bring much-needed depth to their respective positions once they arrive on campus, as both prep standouts are set to don the Cardinal and Gold in the fall of 2018. A 6-2 forward from Santa Monica, Calif., Jillian Archer has made a name for herself as one of the best young rebounders and post players in the country. Ranked as the No. 47 overall player and No. 7 forward in the nation according to ESPN, Archer also currently ranks No. 54 overall and as the No. 8 forward according to ProspectsNation. Archer averaged 11.4 points per game to go along with 10.3 rebounds per game as a junior at Bishop Alemany HS in Mission Hills. Archer earned a spot on the All-CIF Southern Section Open Division First Team after she led her Lady Warriors to the CIF Southern California Division 1 Regional State Semifinals. A 5-6 point guard, Desiree "Desi" Caldwell hails from San Antonio, Texas. Ranked the No. 13 guard and the No. 74 overall player in the country according to ESPN, Caldwell currently sits as the nation's No. 14 overall player and No. 5 guard in the land according to ProspectsNation. Caldwell is a quick and savvy floor general who brings multiple years of international experience to Troy, having been part of the USA Basketball U16 National Team where she set the U16 assists record during her play in the 2015 FIBA Americas Tournament Championship. In that tournament held in Puebla, Mexico, she helped Team USA bring home the bronze medal with a 4-1 record. Caldwell will play her senior year of basketball at Byron P. Steele II HS in Cibolo, Texas, after playing one varsity season at Claudia Taylor Johnson HS in San Antonio. As a freshman, Caldwell compiled 316 points, 46 rebounds, 33 assists, and 23 steals, shooting 38 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Although Caldwell has spent the majority of her life in Texas, both of her parents are from California and surrounding Los Angeles areas. Her older sister, Recee, also started her collegiate basketball career at nearby UCLA before transferring to Texas Tech. Caldwell's international experience plus her extensive basketball background will serve her well when she arrives at USC.
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb Media Availability 9/18/25
Thursday, September 18
USC WBB's Lindsay Gottlieb, Rayah Marshall and Talia von Oelhoffen | Trojan Press Conference
Monday, March 31
USC WBB heads to the Elite 8, defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16 | Rapid Reaction
Saturday, March 29
Kennedy Smith on USC WBB heading to the Elite Eight, Trojan freshmen getting the job done
Saturday, March 29
