USC Trojans Declare Three Players for 2026 NBA Draft: Alijah Arenas, Jacob Cofie, and Gabe Dynes
Three USC Trojans players have declared for the 2026 NBA Draft as early entry candidates, out of a total of 71 players announced by the league. The players are guard Alijah Arenas, forward Jacob Cofie, and center Gabe Dynes. The draft is scheduled to take place on June 23 and 24, with a deadline for players to withdraw their names set for May 27. The NBA Combine is scheduled for May 10-17 in Chicago.
Alijah Arenas, a 6-6 guard weighing 199 pounds, joined USC as a five-star recruit in 2025. Despite facing challenges in his freshman season, including a car crash resulting in a coma and a torn meniscus that required surgery, Arenas made a strong return to the court. In 14 games with the Trojans, he averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. His decision to enter the NBA Draft or return to USC will depend on his offseason preparation and health.
Jacob Cofie, a 6-10 forward weighing 231 pounds, completed his second college season and first with USC. He averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game in the 2025-26 season, playing 32 games for the Trojans.
Gabe Dynes, a 7-5 center weighing 214 pounds, transferred to USC after playing two seasons with the Youngstown State Penguins. In the 2025-26 season with the Trojans, Dynes averaged 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game across 30 games. The decision to enter the NBA Draft as an early entry candidate marks a significant step in his basketball career.
In conclusion, the USC Trojans have three players, Alijah Arenas, Jacob Cofie, and Gabe Dynes, who have declared for the 2026 NBA Draft as early entry candidates. Their performances and decisions in the upcoming draft will shape their future in basketball, with the potential to make a significant impact at the professional level.