Jordan Marsh Lives Out His Dreams In The City Of Angels

Fast, athletic and nice with it.

That's how USC's Jordan Marsh describes his style on the court and the exact type of player that fans can expect to watch when he dons the Cardinal and Gold jersey. A playmaker and scorer, the junior guard is ready to make his mark on the Big Ten Conference.

Before coming to the West Coast, the North Carolina native spent his whole life in his home state, growing up in the suburbs of Charlotte and playing for Appalachian State and UNC Asheville.

Marsh realized his passion for basketball at a young age, and his recruiting journey picked up near the end of high school while leading Moravian Prep to a 33-4 season. Despite being a shorter guard, Marsh's impressive shot creation and fearless attacks had colleges calling.

"My senior year was my best year ever," Marsh said. "That's when I got my first offer. Everything started unfolding. It was a blessing."

Marsh joined an Appalachian State squad that finished 27-7 overall and 16-2 in conference play, notching a key 69-64 win against top-program Auburn — where Marsh contributed nine points — and winning the conference title.

Marsh was a reliable scorer off the bench, contributing double-digits in six contests. He proved his versatility of both slicing through the defense to finish strong at the paint and knocking down shots past the perimeter.

He initially chose Appalachian State because it was an unbelievable opportunity so close to home. Marsh was already familiar with some of his teammates, having grown up playing with some of them. The short two-hour distance from home also meant his family could attend games.

Family is a significant pillar in Marsh's life, from them showing up for his competition to making regular check-ins.

"I just do everything for my mom, just to make her proud," he said. "My mom and my brothers — we talk almost every week. When I'm back home, we do everything together."

His family supported him through his transition to UNC Asheville, where, even as a sophomore, Marsh knew he was ready for a larger role.

"I knew what my game could provide," Marsh said. "I wanted to be a leader, and they believed in me."

Marsh broke out during the 2024-25 season, averaging nearly 19 points per game and earning Big South Conference Newcomer of the Year, becoming the first player from Asheville to snag the honor. In all categories, his offensive and defensive output soared, and he finished the season with a monster 603 points as a Bulldog.

"I just wanted to win," he said. "Whatever I could do to help my team, I wanted to do it to the best of my ability."

Though an underclassman, Marsh's abilities as a leader flourished with the Bulldogs. His quick change of pace allowed him to find pockets of space on drives, and he was a threat in transition. Marsh scored 20+ points in 15 matchups. He capped the season with team-highs: 113 assists and 65 steals. He also led the Big South in points per game during conference play (23.1).

After his standout season, Marsh set his sights on a longtime dream of his out west: the city of Los Angeles.

"I always wanted to be in L.A.," he said. "I told everyone around me that L.A. is the dream."

Head Coach Eric Musselman FaceTimed Marsh one night, intending to recruit a traditional point guard who could produce for himself while getting others involved. A proven leader and productive guard like Marsh would be the perfect piece to a growing squad dominated by combo guards and bigs.

For Marsh, the call represented the possibility to play at a higher level, and he jumped at the opportunity to play in the power conference in the place he had been dreaming of since he was a kid.

"I couldn't pass it up. I have a chance to play Big Ten basketball and showcase what I can do," Marsh said.

Marsh has wholeheartedly embraced the challenging leap from the Big South to the Big Ten. The intensity of workouts and Musselman's system have pushed him to refine all aspects of his game.

Since coming to USC, he's also found his place in the city. From enjoying the sun and sand to watching pro sports with his team, Marsh has made the most of his time in L.A. and with his squad. But as the Trojans' regular season approaches, Marsh is locked into clear goals, both for the team and for himself.

"As a team, it's winning," he said. "As an individual, it's about getting better every day and learning from others."

Marsh notes in particular Chad Baker-Mazara and Rodney Rice as teammates he looks up to, with their deep experience in postseason play.

With experience as a floor general, Marsh knows he can step into a similar role at USC as a key to offensive ignition or as a facilitator with deep court vision.

He looks toward the regular season with purpose and one word on his mind: "tournament, tournament, tournament." Marsh aims to play a pivotal role in bringing the Trojans back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years.

It may seem as if Marsh has already made his dreams a reality when he landed in Los Angeles with USC. But his gritty desire to push himself to be the best he can be is another personal purpose. Underestimated for his height but one of the shiftiest and most dangerous options on the court, Marsh remains hungry to prove doubters wrong.

"I'm going to bring a show to Galen Center every night," he said, smiling.

On the biggest stage of his career with intense Big Ten competition on the horizon, Marsh sees opportunity where others may see pressure. Now entering his third year of collegiate competition, Marsh is ready to bring his game into the bright lights of the stage he's dreamed of performing on.

Jordan Marsh Lives Out His Dreams In The City Of Angels

Players Mentioned

Chad Baker-Mazara

Jordan Marsh

Rodney Rice

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University Southern California Trojans