Cherry commits to USC
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The USC men's basketball team landed a huge commitment on Friday. Four-star forward Taeshon Cherry announced his pledge to USC, picking the Trojans over Arizona, Gonzaga, Oregon, San Diego State and Texas A&M.
TrojanSports.com first told subscribers to expect Cherry's commitment earlier this week. And when Rivals.com's Eric Bossi caught up with the 6-foot-9 forward about his commitment, the budding star said USC fits him for many reasons.
"I took an unofficial to USC last Friday and it just felt like home," Cherry told Rivals.com. "I’ve known coach Tony Bland since I was eight years old and it’s just been that familiarity with him as a coach and building a strong relationship with the rest of the coaching staff. USC’s style of play fits me best and they want me playing at the two, three and four position."
The product of St. Augustine HS in San Diego also isn't a typical four-star prospect. He's ranked as the 30th best player in the entire country by Rivals.com, only a few spots away from being considered a five-star. Under Andy Enfield, USC has regularly signed players ranked in the Rivals150. A few recent USC players were even in the top 50 of those rankings. But Cherry might be on a different level. The Trojans haven't signed a high school player ranked in the top 30 since 2008. And that player would be DeMar DeRozan, who was ranked third overall in his class by Rivals.com.
Cherry will first get an opportunity to sign with USC starting on November 8. If that happens, Rivals.com's Eric Bossi has big expectations for his future and the future of USC basketball.
"Cherry is the type of new age/hybrid wing player that schools covet," Bossi told TrojanSports.com. "He has the size of a power forward but should be able to play multiple positions for the Trojans as Andy Enfield and his staff look to put as many, versatile and athletic playmakers on the floor as possible."
"Cherry shoots the ball pretty well, he's a fine athlete and I think that he's probably a big stronger than people realize," Bossi continued. "The talent infusion under Enfield has been something to behold and Cherry is the 10th four-star prospect to commit under his watch while building a team that could make a run at the Final Four this year."
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