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USC standout freshman Avery Howell enters NCAA transfer portal

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney04/03/25ErikTMcKinney
Avery Howell
USC Trojans guard Avery Howell (23) shoots against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half of a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament basketball game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Spokane Arena. (James Snook-Imagn Images)

The USC women’s basketball program was dealt another in a string of recent losses as standout freshman Avery Howell entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Talia Goodman.

The 6-foot guard from Boise, Idaho pushed her way into the lineup as a true freshman. She finished sixth on the team in minutes per game and fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.5 points per game. Howell was impressive during USC’s NCAA Tournament run, posting back-to-back games with 18 points in wins against Mississippi State and Kansas State.

Howell was part of a trio of standout true freshmen for the Trojans this season, along with Kennedy Smith and Kayleigh Heckel. It appears as though those three would carry the load during the regular season next year as star JuJu Watkins recovered from an ACL tear suffered during the NCAA Tournament that will keep her out likely for 9-12 months.

Instead, Howell will look elsewhere to play her sophomore season and likely becomes one of the more sought-after players in the portal.

USC is set to add an instant-impact guard in the 2025 recruiting class in five-star Jazzy Davidson. The nation’s No. 2 overall player and No. 1 combo guard is a weapon on both ends of the court and will absolutely earn significant playing time with Watkins sidelined.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz