5-Star Recruit Beckham Black's Connection With USC's Eric Musselman

Beckham Black, a highly touted 2027 guard, has a strong relationship with USC coach Eric Musselman due to his brother Anthony's time playing for Musselman at Arkansas.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:20am

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold colors depicting the dynamic movements and competitive energy of a basketball game, conveying the high-stakes recruiting battle for a top prospect.A cubist interpretation of the recruiting battle for 5-star guard Beckham Black, whose family ties to USC coach Eric Musselman could give the Trojans an edge.Los Angeles Today

The USC Trojans offered a scholarship to 5-star guard Beckham Black, a class of 2027 recruit, back in July 2024. Black recently visited the Georgetown Hoyas, but maintains a strong connection to USC head coach Eric Musselman due to Musselman's previous coaching of Black's older brother Anthony at Arkansas. Anthony Black was selected 6th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic after playing for Musselman at Arkansas.

Why it matters

Securing commitments from top recruits like Beckham Black is crucial for USC as they look to rebuild their program and end a three-year NCAA Tournament drought. Musselman's existing relationship with the Black family could give the Trojans an advantage in landing the highly-touted 2027 prospect.

The details

Beckham Black, a 6-3, 180-pound guard from Orlando, Florida, is rated as a 5-star recruit and the #3 overall prospect in the 2027 class by 247Sports. As a junior at Southeastern Prep, he averaged 16.4 points, 9.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. USC has landed some highly-touted recruits in recent classes, including 5-star guard Alijah Arenas in 2025 and a 2026 class headlined by 5-star small forward Christian Collins, 4-star center Adonis Ratliff, and 4-star center Darius Ratliff. However, the Trojans have missed the NCAA Tournament for the past three seasons.

  • USC offered Beckham Black a scholarship in July 2024.
  • Beckham Black recently visited the Georgetown Hoyas.
  • Anthony Black, Beckham's older brother, played for Eric Musselman at Arkansas in the 2022-23 season and was selected 6th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

The players

Beckham Black

A 5-star guard in the class of 2027 from Orlando, Florida who is ranked as the #3 overall prospect in his class by 247Sports.

Eric Musselman

The head coach of the USC Trojans men's basketball team, who previously coached Beckham Black's older brother Anthony at Arkansas.

Anthony Black

Beckham Black's older brother, who played for Eric Musselman at Arkansas in the 2022-23 season and was selected 6th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Muss (Eric Musselman) coached my brother, so I've known him for a while now. To be honest the relationship is probably as strong as it could get with him and his coaching staff.”

— Beckham Black, 5-star recruit

What’s next

Beckham Black will continue to weigh his college options, with USC and Georgetown among the top contenders. The Trojans will look to leverage Musselman's existing relationship with the Black family to secure a commitment from the 5-star guard.

The takeaway

Securing commitments from elite recruits like Beckham Black is crucial for USC as they aim to rebuild their program and end a three-year NCAA Tournament drought. Musselman's prior coaching of Black's brother Anthony at Arkansas gives the Trojans a significant recruiting advantage in landing the highly-touted 2027 prospect.