USC Women’s Basketball Adds Dayana Mendes As Sophomore Transfer
April 30, 2025 | Women's Basketball
A native of France, Mendes played one season at Washington State.
LOS ANGELES — USC women's basketball has added depth to its 2025-26 roster with the addition of transfer Dayana Mendes, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has announced. A native of France, Mendes is a dynamic 6-foot-3 player who spent one season at Washington State.
"Dayana is a unique talent who will thrive in our system and at USC," Gottlieb said of Mendes. "One of the best young players out of France — whose development program is elite — Dayana has length, athleticism and a versatile skill set. She is a tireless worker who loves the game and brings an incredible mindset to LA. Dayana had a really productive freshman season at Washington State, and we believe her ceiling is limitless. Our Trojan fans will love her ability to score, defend and bring boundless energy to Galen Center."
In her first season of action at WSU, Mendes earned WCC All-Freshman Team honors and was a two-time WCC Freshman of the Week. She averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in her 30 appearances for the Cougars last season, upping her output in the final stretch with nine double-digit outings in the last 11 games of the year. During that span, Mendes averaged 12.3 points per game while helping WSU reach the WNIT second round. While in high school in Paris, France, Mendes competed for Charnay and Île-de-France, winning titles with both teams.
Mendes is one of four newcomers currently signed on to join the Trojans in 2025-26, teaming up with fellow all-conference honorees and transfers Kara Dunn and Londynn Jones along with incoming freshman guard Jazzy Davidson, a Naismith High School All-American who was recently named as the nation's top-ranked high school player. USC is coming off a 2024-25 season that saw the Trojans win the Big Ten regular-season championship, earn a No. 1 seed into the NCAA Tournament and reach a second straight Elite Eight to finish with a 31-4 overall record.
"Dayana is a unique talent who will thrive in our system and at USC," Gottlieb said of Mendes. "One of the best young players out of France — whose development program is elite — Dayana has length, athleticism and a versatile skill set. She is a tireless worker who loves the game and brings an incredible mindset to LA. Dayana had a really productive freshman season at Washington State, and we believe her ceiling is limitless. Our Trojan fans will love her ability to score, defend and bring boundless energy to Galen Center."
In her first season of action at WSU, Mendes earned WCC All-Freshman Team honors and was a two-time WCC Freshman of the Week. She averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in her 30 appearances for the Cougars last season, upping her output in the final stretch with nine double-digit outings in the last 11 games of the year. During that span, Mendes averaged 12.3 points per game while helping WSU reach the WNIT second round. While in high school in Paris, France, Mendes competed for Charnay and Île-de-France, winning titles with both teams.
Mendes is one of four newcomers currently signed on to join the Trojans in 2025-26, teaming up with fellow all-conference honorees and transfers Kara Dunn and Londynn Jones along with incoming freshman guard Jazzy Davidson, a Naismith High School All-American who was recently named as the nation's top-ranked high school player. USC is coming off a 2024-25 season that saw the Trojans win the Big Ten regular-season championship, earn a No. 1 seed into the NCAA Tournament and reach a second straight Elite Eight to finish with a 31-4 overall record.
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
