Top prospect AJ Dybantsa receives offer from Eric Musselman's USC ahead of 2024 college basketball season
After hiring Quincy Pondexter to his coaching roster, Eric Musselman is back to focusing on the heart of hardwood. The 59-year-old coach's latest move is to open the door to AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit in the country. The 6'9 athletic forward recently posted a note of gratitude on X, adding to his long list of offers from esteemed programs across the country.
"After speaking to Coach Musselman, I’m blessed to receive an offer from the University of Southern California! Go Trojans❤️💛," Dybantsa shared.
Musselman, who is less than 50 days in on his coaching role with the University of Southern California, has his goals aligned with the institution. USC is coming from a dismal 15-18 record and saw a huge chunk of its roster enter the transfer portal. Bronny James, Kijani Wright, Vincent Iwuchukwu, Kobe Johnson, and Oziyah Sellers declared their intentions to part ways with USC last month.
Moreover, Eric Musselman is coming off his worst head-coaching stint, with the Arkansas Razorbacks. His squad began the season as one of the nation's best teams, but they succumbed to a 16-17 record. Moreover, it also marked the program's first NCAA absence under Musselman's guidance.
AJ Dybantsa's update is a sigh of relief for USC fans
AJ visited the Southern California institution back in 2023. At the time, he was introduced to the culture through Andy Enfield's lens and had ample reasons to see himself donning a Trojans jersey.
"They said that if I go there that I will low-key run the show. I can be the one-guard, two-guard, even at 6-foot-8 I can run the team," AJ Dybantsa reminisced his October visit to the LA instituion in January 2024.
With that, when USC saw a change in leadership, there were initial concerns that it might change AJ's connection with the university. However, just like Charles Griffin Cale, Dybantsa might have plenty in alignment with Eric Musselman's vision and goals.
Nevertheless, AJ Dybantsa also holds offers from Arkansas, LSU, Auburn, the California Golden Bears, North Carolina, Baylor, Kansas, Florida State, Oregon, Michigan, Duke and other programs.
Despite his tall frame, AJ aims to operate as a point guard on the court. With that, there is a possibility that the five-star prospect would lean more towards specific coaches, rather than a university's history.