USC First to Host Prized 5-Star and No. 1 Power Forward

USC First to Host Prized 5-Star and No. 1 Power Forward originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The USC Trojans have a 2026 class to fill out soon on the basketball court. USC and head coach Eric Musselman hold no verbal commits so far — but will host a prized five-star soon.

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Christian Collins from St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California has scheduled his current list of future college visits. But first on deck is a trip to the Land of Troy, according to 247Sports college basketball recruiting insider Dushawn London.

When will Musselman and USC welcome in Collins? The 6-foot-8 talent is setting foot on campus on Aug. 30, per London. And the Trojans aren’t the only power conference university visit Collins officially locked in.

London adds annual Southeastern Conference heavyweight Kentucky is the other university earning a future visit from Collins. UK and USC are the only visits he’s dialed in.

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USC will attempt to court and land the nation’s top-ranked power forward one month from now. He’d become a significant local commit if Musselman and the Trojans pull off winning over Collins.

Musselman has proven to become successful before with backyard five-star recruits. He reeled in Chatsworth star Alijah Arenas for the 2025 recruiting class. Arenas is now vying for playing time as USC resumed practices over the summer.

Collins has a plethora of blue blood programs chasing after him — not just limited to Kentucky or USC. Elite Eight finalist Alabama offered him. Duke is another that extended a scholarship offer to him, as the Blue Devils aim to look for their next impact true freshman post Cooper Flagg. Meanwhile, national title game runner-up Houston is another four-year level opportunity for Collins.

He averaged 13.3 points per game with 9.7 rebounds in his junior season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.