University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: John McGillen
Q&A with Darius Ratliff
July 15, 2026 | Men's Basketball
LOS ANGELES — With a talented mix of returners, transfers and blue-chip freshman recruits, the USC men's basketball team is looking to make the NCAA Tournament in Head Coach Eric Musselman's third year.
One of the incoming freshmen, center Darius Ratliff, sat down to talk about why he chose USC, his father's NBA wisdom and his goals for the upcoming season.
Why did you ultimately choose USC, and what was the pitch?
Just the pro style. I want to get to the NBA, and that's the main goal for me. So coming to a place where people have done it already, whether it's overseas or NBA, they all played pro. I just want to get there and just follow what they did.
Did you and your brother go about the recruiting process separately and how was that experience?
It was a little mix of both. There were some schools that were recruiting me, and some schools that were just recruiting Adonis. Our recruitment was separate. We were really adamant about making sure that that happened, and coaches knew that they're not calling us together and were calling us separately, recruiting separately. We emphasized that early.
Your father, Theo Ratliff, is a former NBA player. How much insight did he provide during the recruiting process?
I would say he let us really choose what school would be best for us. But throughout the whole process, he would just tell us, "Love who loves you," and that was his main thing. Head coach Eric Musselman showed a lot of love. Just came down and talked to us. Would call us every day, text every day. It just made everything easier.
How do you feel having your brother a part of the program?
It feels great. I feel like we complement each other's game, whether it's inside or outside. I mean, it's like having another me out there, so it makes everything easier.
What's the biggest difference between playing in high school and the competition you've faced this summer?
The speed of the game and the physicality. Yeah, there are a lot bigger, stronger, and older guys.
What's something that has pleasantly surprised you about your time as a part of the team so far?
I feel like I didn't have the greatest start — just getting used to being here, my body. But just seeing how my work in the weight room is paying off. How much bigger and stronger I'm getting. And how much I'm elevating.
What is your impression of living in Los Angeles so far?
I mean, it's a movie. There's even been some movies filmed on our campus. Just just being here, it feels like my life is a movie right now. I never really thought I was gonna be here until a couple months ago. So just to see the atmosphere and just the level of people that's over here is crazy.
How often do people mistake you and Adonis? Does it happen more now or when you all were younger?
When we were younger, we had the same hair haircut, buzz cut. We looked the same, even though we're fraternal twins. Some people mix us up.
How would you describe your game?
I'm a selfless basketball player. I'm going to do whatever I have to do to help the team win. Whether it's scoring, playing defense, having energy or just being a well-rounded basketball player. I have a very high basketball IQ due to my dad being in the NBA.
What are some of the pointers your dad has given you that has led to your high basketball IQ?
I would say just positioning, where to be on the court, how you can make the game easier. He tells me to attack offensive rebounds because that's six to eight points you can just add to your points per game. And doing little things like getting to the free-throw-line.
What are some goals you look to accomplish individually this season?
I want to be on the Big Ten All-Freshman team and a Naismith All-Freshman team. It's a big goal for me is just to get better, compete, get my body right and get my mind right. And hopefully, I can be on the draft boards next year. But it's God's plan, so we'll just see how it goes.
One of the incoming freshmen, center Darius Ratliff, sat down to talk about why he chose USC, his father's NBA wisdom and his goals for the upcoming season.
Why did you ultimately choose USC, and what was the pitch?
Just the pro style. I want to get to the NBA, and that's the main goal for me. So coming to a place where people have done it already, whether it's overseas or NBA, they all played pro. I just want to get there and just follow what they did.
Did you and your brother go about the recruiting process separately and how was that experience?
It was a little mix of both. There were some schools that were recruiting me, and some schools that were just recruiting Adonis. Our recruitment was separate. We were really adamant about making sure that that happened, and coaches knew that they're not calling us together and were calling us separately, recruiting separately. We emphasized that early.
Your father, Theo Ratliff, is a former NBA player. How much insight did he provide during the recruiting process?
I would say he let us really choose what school would be best for us. But throughout the whole process, he would just tell us, "Love who loves you," and that was his main thing. Head coach Eric Musselman showed a lot of love. Just came down and talked to us. Would call us every day, text every day. It just made everything easier.
How do you feel having your brother a part of the program?
It feels great. I feel like we complement each other's game, whether it's inside or outside. I mean, it's like having another me out there, so it makes everything easier.
What's the biggest difference between playing in high school and the competition you've faced this summer?
The speed of the game and the physicality. Yeah, there are a lot bigger, stronger, and older guys.
What's something that has pleasantly surprised you about your time as a part of the team so far?
I feel like I didn't have the greatest start — just getting used to being here, my body. But just seeing how my work in the weight room is paying off. How much bigger and stronger I'm getting. And how much I'm elevating.
What is your impression of living in Los Angeles so far?
I mean, it's a movie. There's even been some movies filmed on our campus. Just just being here, it feels like my life is a movie right now. I never really thought I was gonna be here until a couple months ago. So just to see the atmosphere and just the level of people that's over here is crazy.
How often do people mistake you and Adonis? Does it happen more now or when you all were younger?
When we were younger, we had the same hair haircut, buzz cut. We looked the same, even though we're fraternal twins. Some people mix us up.
How would you describe your game?
I'm a selfless basketball player. I'm going to do whatever I have to do to help the team win. Whether it's scoring, playing defense, having energy or just being a well-rounded basketball player. I have a very high basketball IQ due to my dad being in the NBA.
What are some of the pointers your dad has given you that has led to your high basketball IQ?
I would say just positioning, where to be on the court, how you can make the game easier. He tells me to attack offensive rebounds because that's six to eight points you can just add to your points per game. And doing little things like getting to the free-throw-line.
What are some goals you look to accomplish individually this season?
I want to be on the Big Ten All-Freshman team and a Naismith All-Freshman team. It's a big goal for me is just to get better, compete, get my body right and get my mind right. And hopefully, I can be on the draft boards next year. But it's God's plan, so we'll just see how it goes.
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
