USC men's basketball injury: Coach Eric Musselman provides crucial updates on multiple players
Eric Musselman's first USC Trojans roster might be set but there are still a lot of uncertainties lingering around his players.
Chibuzo Agbo (knee soreness), Matt Knowling (sports hernia), Desmond Claude (elbow) and walk-on Kallai Patton (undisclosed surgery) are a couple of players struggling with injuries that ultimately stop the Trojans from being 100%.
Nevertheless, Musselman gave a brief update on the roster's progress over the summer in an exclusive with On3's Thomas Goldkamp. Claude has already begun live and contact training, while Agbo and Knowling are slated to follow the same from Monday (September 23).
However, Patton will be out indefinitely due to his recent surgery.
“[Chibuzo Agbo] out with knee soreness,” Musselman said. “Should be practicing on Monday when we go into our 20 hours. Matt Knowling, back to limited live stuff but should be full go on Monday,” he added.
“Desmond’s been great. Yeah, he’s been totally live, contact, everything for quite some time now,” Musselman followed.
“Patton a ways away. He’s out indefinitely. I mean he had the surgery and it will just be how rehab goes and stuff. Basically hip,” he added.
Chibuzo Agbo and Matt Knowling's season upside will be known after their performance next week.
Additionally, Wesley Yates, who did not play his entire freshman year due to a foot injury, was cleared to play earlier this month. He is currently contending for a starting spot on Eric Musselman's roster.
Agbo and Knowling's return will be a major addition to Eric Musselman's unit
Yale transfer Matt Knowling was one of the first additions to Musselman’s USC due to his knack for being the glue guy. Chibuzo Agbo, former Boise State and Texas Tech guard, comes to Eric Musselman’s roster after withdrawing early from the 2024 NBA Draft.
Agbo is coming off a career-best season last year, averaging 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds while connecting on more than 45% shots from the field and 40.9% from the three-point line.
Knowling does a bit of everything and can also serve as a stabilizing guy for both the starters and the bench. He led Yale’s scoring record in his junior year, earning a co-MVP and first-team All-Ivy League selection.
Last year, he was the All-Ivy League honorable pick. He averaged 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds on 56.7% shooting and helped the Bulldogs defeat Auburn in the NCAA opener.