USC basketball’s Drew Peterson back after his one almost-shining moment

LOS ANGELES — Eight months ago, Drew Peterson was just an inch from basketball immortality.

The senior guard’s 8 points in 21 seconds – two 3-pointers and one layup – tied what was a 7-point USC deficit to Miami with 44 seconds left in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in a 14-tick game. changed to But after his USC foul with three seconds left, Miami hit his two free throws and the Trojans were down two.

When Isaiah Mobley took the ball inbounds, there was no doubt who it would go to. Still, Peterson caught it cleanly and took two dribbles past the midcourt of the court. He pulled along the right sideline and lifted. The ball bounced off the backboard and then the front of the rim and landed on the floor.

It’s a fraction of an inch and part of Peterson’s basketball folklore.11 points in 35 seconds to win an NCAA Tournament game starred the Indiana Pacers against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden , would have been on par with Reggie Miller’s 8.7 at 8. But eight months later, Peterson is happy with this shot.

“If it was an open three-pointer or something, it would be a lot different,” Peterson said after practice on Tuesday. I’m glad.”

However, the overall loss still stuck with Peterson and was a factor in his decision to stay for his final season at USC.

“After finishing that elite eight run [in 2021], you take some things for granted,” Peterson said. “It’s hard to get into tournaments, it’s hard to be in every round. “

There was always the feeling that Peterson would be back for the 2022-23 season. Even though he was a senior last season, he had an extra COVID year to take advantage of if he chose, and he won his March Senior Ceremony at the Galen Center. I have chosen not to participate in his day activities.

Still, he chose to enter the NBA Draft and get feedback from teams and scouts. I got

Peterson was also told that he needed to put more muscle on his body to compete with professional athletes. Spent in the room and reached 200.

“He’s faster, he looks stronger. He’s offensive and making quicker decisions,” USC head coach Andy Enfield said. “He’s a very skilled player, so he has to be very creative on offense.”

The added weight will also help 6-foot-9 Peterson play inside in USC’s new roster composition.

The Trojans enter the season without two freshman 7-footers, Iaroslav Niag and Vincent Yiucukwu, who suffered cardiac arrest during summer practice at USC.

Iwuchukwu has returned to his carefree self, but there are many doctors who need to clear star freshmen before they can resume practice, let alone play on the team. As such, USC will have to play on a much smaller scale than in years past when the Mobleys patrolled the Paint.