Wait, more portal additions?

Even when the transfer portal's closed, it's still open. Florida State loses another player, while USC adds Des Claude. Plus, Nebraska takes an injury hit, and more.

The portal’s closed. Now all the attention is on where everyone plays. On Thursday, a few more teams managed to get better.

Let's dive in.

1. Top-tier Desmond Claude commits to USC

Any program would love to add Desmond Claude, a 6-5 guard who led Xavier this season with 16.6 ppg and 3.2 apg.

The Big East’s Most Improved Player of the Year shot 43% from the field, and had 12 games of at least 20 points this past season, including 36 against Georgetown.

But it was the City of Angels that got him.

Claude’s the ninth transfer into USC and the second from the Power Six conference ranks, joining former Michigan forward Terrance Williams II.

What Claude lacks as a pure shooter he more than makes up for in his ability to create his own offense, including getting to the basket at a high rate. That’s big considering the Trojans’ roster features plenty of solid mid-major scorers who may struggle to life in the Big Ten.

The Trojans likely need another ball-handler. But Claude is the biggest pickup yet, and could make them into a genuine Big Ten threat. At the least, he’ll challenge for an All-Big Ten spot.

Other notable transfer pickups

  • Louisville got Charleston guard Kobe Rodgers (9.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg).

  • Hawai’i picked up Houston Christian guard Marcus Greene (15.1 ppg).

  • Colorado State grabbed OVC Rookie of the Year and Little Rock forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (9.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg).

  • Oregon State added Toledo guard and MAC DPOY Tyler Cochran (14.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg).

  • San Diego State snagged San Diego guard Wayne McKinney (13.5 ppg and 2.9 apg).

  • SMU forward Tyreek Smith (8.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg) commits to Memphis.

2. Florida State’s rough offseason continues

While the transfer portal may be closed, but a few names will trickle out for the next 48 hours as paperwork gets finalized.

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