
'It's all basketball': LaMelo says no rift with Bam
LaMelo Ball relieved Bam Adebayo's injury isn't serious after tripping him in game.
Four-star EDGE Mekai Brown from Connecticut has committed to USC after a series of visits. He expressed confidence in his decision, stating, 'When you know, you know.'
Mentioned in this story
Four-star 2027 Connecticut EDGE Mekai Brown at USC
Mekai Brown didn’t need as much time as he thought he would.
After a spring filled with visits and national programs pushing hard, the four-star EDGE out of Greenwich (Conn.) Greenwich Country Day has committed to USC, giving Lincoln Riley and the Trojans a major win on the defensive side of the ball.
“When you know, you know,” Brown told Rivals. “There’s no reason for me to drag it out or take any more visits.”
Brown’s connection with USC began last fall when he made his way to Los Angeles to watch the Trojans take on UCLA. That trip planted the seed, but it was his return visit in March that changed everything.
“That second visit really changed things for me,” Brown said. “I got to see more of USC and more of L.A., and it just felt different.
“After that visit, USC moved to the top of my list. I kept taking visits, but I didn’t get that feeling.”
[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]
Even as other programs made strong pushes, USC separated itself.
“Some schools made moves for me on visits,” Brown said. “But none were like USC.
“When I left USC in March, I told my mom it would be hard not to commit right then. I stayed with my plan, took more visits and compared everything — but I kept coming back to USC.”
Mekai Brown, a four-star EDGE prospect from Greenwich, Connecticut, has committed to USC after evaluating his options during spring visits.
Mekai Brown is a four-star EDGE player from Greenwich Country Day in Connecticut, known for his defensive skills.
Mekai Brown's commitment is seen as a significant win for USC, enhancing their defensive lineup under coach Lincoln Riley.

LaMelo Ball relieved Bam Adebayo's injury isn't serious after tripping him in game.

Get ready for $150 train fares from NYC to MetLife Stadium for World Cup matches!

Texans and Will Anderson Jr. agree to historic $150M extension!

Avalanche lead Stanley Cup odds, but Sabres intrigue bettors

2026 NBA Playoffs: Must-See Matchups Including LeBron vs. Durant
Barcelona targets Vedat Muriqi if they can't sign Julian Alvarez
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Brown chose USC over a strong group that included Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Ohio State, with the latter three joining the Trojans in his final group.
In the end, several key factors pushed USC over the top.
“Development, where the program is going and the leadership all stood out,” Brown said. “When I talked with the staff, they made it clear USC is about more than just football.”
That message resonated.
“They told me you don’t just choose USC for football, you choose it for all the opportunities,” he said. “That really hit me.”
The full picture made the difference.
“The location, the education, the people, the history and the networking — it all checked the boxes for me,” Brown said. “That’s what pushed them over the edge.”
There’s also a personal connection to Los Angeles.
“I’ve got family minutes away from the Coliseum,” he said. “I love the environment out there. It’s laid back, and it’s a different speed from what I’m used to. I can really see myself being happy there.”
The coaching staff sealed the decision.
“I like Coach Nua a lot,” Brown said. “He’s a great coach and a great man. He doesn’t brag about what he’s done, but he’s proven it.
“Coach Riley’s got a great personality. We’ve had some really good talks. He’s going to push me, and the whole staff is going to push me. They’ve got USC doing big things.”
Now, the process is over.
“I’m fully committed, and my recruitment is shut down,” Brown said.