Four-Star Wing Josh Rivera Commits to USC, Gives Trojans First 2027 Pledge

USC landed its first commitment in the 2027 recruiting class Wednesday when four-star wing Josh Rivera announced he is joining the Trojans. The 6-foot-7 Archbishop Stepinac standout from New York is ranked No. 127 nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking and No. 1 in the state. Rivera chose USC after receiving an offer earlier this month and quickly taking a trip to Los Angeles to meet with Eric Musselman and his staff.

Rivera’s recruitment accelerated after a strong fall evaluation period. His combination of size and perimeter scoring gives USC a versatile guard-wing who can create at multiple levels while also making plays for teammates. Rivera said USC’s development plan and the coaching staff’s vision for his role stood out during the process. He also has familiarity with the program through former Stepinac teammates Darius and Adonis Ratliff, who are already freshmen at USC.

The most interesting part of the commitment is how quickly Musselman closed it. USC offered Rivera on Oct. 4, brought him across the country shortly afterward and secured his pledge before the end of the month. That gives the Trojans an early foundation for a 2027 class they can now build around. Rivera brings New York toughness, shooting and positional size to Los Angeles, while USC gets a rising prospect whose national ranking may still have room to climb during his senior season.