University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: John McGillen
Q&A with Onyeka Joe Agu
September 21, 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.
Freshman center Onyeka Joe Agu sat down to talk about his playing experience in Belgium, his expectations for the season and adjusting to playing college basketball in the United States.
Coming to USC was the first time you've been in the United States. What do you think about living in America so far?
I feel like the key difference in America is that people are way more open than in Belgium. Other people are really trying to ask you questions and people are more willing to get to know you.
Where are you from and what sports were you into when you were growing up?
I lived in Leuven, which is a 30-minute drive from Brussels, the capital of Belgium. I started playing basketball five years ago, but before that, I was playing a lot of soccer.
What position did you play in soccer and who's your favorite player?
I played multiple positions in soccer: I was a keeper, a defender and a striker — I was pretty versatile in soccer. Neymar is my favorite player but I never got to see him play.
Do you think some of the skills you learned in soccer translate to basketball? And how did soccer prepare you to be a high-level basketball player?
One of the similarities I found was that I learned a lot of footwork from soccer that could translate into basketball. That's something that really helped me while trying to play basketball.
How did you get into playing basketball and how has the trajectory of your basketball career gone up to this point?
The way I got into basketball was through a friend. He was playing basketball and at one time I went with him to a park and I liked it so I just kept playing.
I learned a lot while playing for Brussels. They really taught me how to act like a grown man. Since I've only played basketball for five years, I've really had to learn a lot in a short period of time. I felt like there was not a lot of time to make mistakes, which put pressure on me.
What do you hope to get out of playing American college basketball?
I've learned that college is very connected to the NBA, which is something that I had in mind when I chose to go to college. I didn't really have many teammates that are in college right now, but I did play on the national team with people who are in college right now.
Describe your experience with the national team. How did you get involved? And how did it feel to make the national team so early in your career?
I was selected twice to play for the national team. It's really unique playing for your country.
What has it been like playing and learning under Coach Musselman and the staff here? What have you learned so far?
I like Coach Muss. He's loud, but in a positive way because he's always trying to help you. The coaches are very energetic and they've helped me get up to speed.
I was used to playing to my strengths, but Coach Muss and the staff are really focusing on all of us working on our weaknesses. It's really important for all of us to work on our weaknesses as well as our strengths before the season starts.
How would you describe your style of play and which players do you try to emulate?
I'm really trying to be a two-way player on offense and defense. I feel like that's really important for a big guy to have impact on both sides of the game. The players I like to mimic are Anthony Davis, because he's also a two-way player, and Tim Duncan.
What do you think the strengths of this team are and how do you think you guys are going to succeed?
I think everyone knows their role. It's important for us to not do too much and know what they have to do. I think we have a lot of potential.
I feel like this year, offensively, we will make a good impact. I feel like everyone can create their own shot.
What are you looking forward to the most about being a college athlete at USC?
I'm looking forward to playing against the big schools because it'll be a fun experience to play against them. Another thing I hope to get out of this year is to get exposure. That's a key reason I came to college, because basketball is so big here in America.
Freshman center Onyeka Joe Agu sat down to talk about his playing experience in Belgium, his expectations for the season and adjusting to playing college basketball in the United States.
Coming to USC was the first time you've been in the United States. What do you think about living in America so far?
I feel like the key difference in America is that people are way more open than in Belgium. Other people are really trying to ask you questions and people are more willing to get to know you.
Where are you from and what sports were you into when you were growing up?
I lived in Leuven, which is a 30-minute drive from Brussels, the capital of Belgium. I started playing basketball five years ago, but before that, I was playing a lot of soccer.
What position did you play in soccer and who's your favorite player?
I played multiple positions in soccer: I was a keeper, a defender and a striker — I was pretty versatile in soccer. Neymar is my favorite player but I never got to see him play.
Do you think some of the skills you learned in soccer translate to basketball? And how did soccer prepare you to be a high-level basketball player?
One of the similarities I found was that I learned a lot of footwork from soccer that could translate into basketball. That's something that really helped me while trying to play basketball.
How did you get into playing basketball and how has the trajectory of your basketball career gone up to this point?
The way I got into basketball was through a friend. He was playing basketball and at one time I went with him to a park and I liked it so I just kept playing.
I learned a lot while playing for Brussels. They really taught me how to act like a grown man. Since I've only played basketball for five years, I've really had to learn a lot in a short period of time. I felt like there was not a lot of time to make mistakes, which put pressure on me.
What do you hope to get out of playing American college basketball?
I've learned that college is very connected to the NBA, which is something that I had in mind when I chose to go to college. I didn't really have many teammates that are in college right now, but I did play on the national team with people who are in college right now.
Describe your experience with the national team. How did you get involved? And how did it feel to make the national team so early in your career?
I was selected twice to play for the national team. It's really unique playing for your country.
What has it been like playing and learning under Coach Musselman and the staff here? What have you learned so far?
I like Coach Muss. He's loud, but in a positive way because he's always trying to help you. The coaches are very energetic and they've helped me get up to speed.
I was used to playing to my strengths, but Coach Muss and the staff are really focusing on all of us working on our weaknesses. It's really important for all of us to work on our weaknesses as well as our strengths before the season starts.
How would you describe your style of play and which players do you try to emulate?
I'm really trying to be a two-way player on offense and defense. I feel like that's really important for a big guy to have impact on both sides of the game. The players I like to mimic are Anthony Davis, because he's also a two-way player, and Tim Duncan.
What do you think the strengths of this team are and how do you think you guys are going to succeed?
I think everyone knows their role. It's important for us to not do too much and know what they have to do. I think we have a lot of potential.
I feel like this year, offensively, we will make a good impact. I feel like everyone can create their own shot.
What are you looking forward to the most about being a college athlete at USC?
I'm looking forward to playing against the big schools because it'll be a fun experience to play against them. Another thing I hope to get out of this year is to get exposure. That's a key reason I came to college, because basketball is so big here in America.
Players Mentioned
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