Gonzaga in Contention for USC Transfer Guard Desmond Claude
The battle to land USC transfer guard Desmond Claude is intensifying, with Gonzaga remaining a strong contender for his services.
Florida is no longer in the running, leaving Alabama, Gonzaga, and Washington as the top three programs vying for the 6-foot-5 guard, according to 247Sports’ Isaac Trotter. Gonzaga has been in touch with Claude since his surprise decision to enter the transfer portal a month ago, though the Bulldogs have had to be patient as he set up visits to other schools.
Claude had planned a visit to Alabama last week, but that trip was postponed, giving other interested programs, including Gonzaga, a chance to close the gap. Claude is also exploring the NBA Draft process, with a May 25 deadline to withdraw his name and return to college if he opts to wait another year before going pro.
Ranked as the No. 3 transfer by EvanMiya.com, Claude is coming off a strong season at USC, where he averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 2024-25. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and posted impressive shooting numbers, including 48.2% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc, and 76.4% from the free-throw line.
Claude’s recruitment may also impact Gonzaga’s pursuit of Grand Canyon transfer Tyon Grant-Foster, a 6-foot-7 forward. Both Gonzaga and Washington are reportedly in the mix for Grant-Foster, creating a parallel recruiting battle between the two schools. Grant-Foster, the former WAC Player of the Year, is also considering Arizona State, making him one of the top 20 transfer prospects available.
This offseason, Gonzaga has already added Adam Miller, a 6-foot-3 guard who shot nearly 43% from three-point range at Arizona State last season. Adding another high-caliber scorer and defender like Claude would be a significant boost for the Bulldogs as they aim to strengthen their roster for the 2025-26 season.
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