Ryan Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles Times. He joined The Times after six years with the Southern California News Group, where he covered everything from Vin Scully’s retirement to LaVar Ball’s rise to the NFL’s rebirth in L.A. His features work has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, as well as several other regional press groups. A Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, Kartje previously wrote for Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times.
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A new NCAA settlement could be approved as early as Monday, potentially adding some caps to the wild name, image and likeness era.
USC freshman guard Wesley Yates III, who became one of the top young scorers in the Big Ten last season, has entered the transfer portal.
The Trojans’ sophomore star continues to add to her impressive list of accolades with another player-of-the-year honor. Wooden Award could be next.
USC star JuJu Watkins could miss all of next season as she recovers from a torn ACL. The Trojans’ freshman class is expected to help offset her loss.
With no JuJu Watkins, USC can’t keep pace with Paige Bueckers and Connecticut in the fourth quarter of a 78-64 loss in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.
Few people believe USC can beat UConn without star JuJu Watkins, but the Trojans do have a potential path to victory.
USC’s hopes of making the Final Four will weigh heavily upon freshman defensive specialist Kennedy Smith being able to keep UConn star Paige Bueckers in check.
Playing without injured star JuJu Watkins, freshmen Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell powered USC to a 67-61 victory over Kansas State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
USC women know they can’t replace JuJu Watkins, but Kiki Iriafen and the rest of the Trojans are ready to be “the best version of themselves” in the Sweet 16.
In the wake of JuJu Watkins’ season-ending knee injury, UConn star Paige Bueckers and Huskies coach Geno Auriemma talked about the challenges ahead for Watkins and USC.