5 high school players who can make Lindsay Gottlieb's USC women's roster in 2024

The University of Southern California (USC) women's basketball team, led by head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, is gearing up for a remarkable 2024 season with the addition of several standout high school players.

The USC women’s basketball team recruited the best class of 2024 by signing six players from the ESPNW Top 100 in addition to three McDonald’s All-Americans. The Trojans were just one of four schools that managed to do this, as 58 other programs pulled at least one ESPNW Top 100 pick.

Moreover, both UConn and USC had three McDonald's All-Americans each displaying their knack for recruiting.

5 high school players who are expected to make a major impact on USC 2024 roster

No. 5: Vivian Iwuchukwu

Vivian Iwuchukwu, a promising 6-foot-3 forward from Montverde Academy in Florida, rounds out the Trojans' stellar 2024 class. With a scout grade of 94, Iwuchukwu's potential as a prospect is clear. Her height and athleticism are expected to bolster the Trojans' interior defense and rebounding capabilities.

No. 4: Rian Forestier

Rian Forestier, a combo guard out of Brandeis High School in Texas, is 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Forestier is rated 54th in the ESPNW 100 and has a scout grade of 94. Her high school career saw her score 62 points in a double-overtime thriller game. Forestier is expected to diversify USC's offense and provide strong support for star player JuJu Watkins.

No. 3: Laura Williams

Laura Williams, a 6-foot-1 forward from St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Virginia, adds considerable depth to the Trojans' frontcourt. Ranked 92nd overall in the ESPN HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings, Williams had offers from top programs including Arizona State, Harvard, Maryland, and Pitt before choosing the Trojans.

Her recruitment journey saw her officially visit the Trojans and Pitt in September 2023, culminating in her commitment on September 26, 2023.

No. 2: Kayleigh Heckel

Kayleigh Heckel, a 5-foot-9 point guard from Port Chester, New York, joins the Trojans. This McDonald’s All-American, who is ranked 28th in the ESPNW Top 100 list, scored 2,000 points at Long Island Lutheran High School and led her team to the 2023 finals. She was also the champion of the Nike TOC in 2022 and a candidate for the Gatorade Player of the Year.

No. 1: Avery Howell

Avery Howell, a five-star recruit from Boise, Idaho, is a dynamic addition to USC's 2024 class. At an ESPN ranking of 20 nationwide, she stands 6 feet tall. This addition is expected to contribute greatly to USC's current state.

During her third year in Boise High School, Howell led her to the third position in the state-wide competitions. She averaged 21.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. She also had a shooting percentage of 50% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line.