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Why USC Trojans Guard Talia von Oelhoffen Transferred From Oregon State

USC Trojans women's basketball star Talia von Oelhoffen reveals why she transferred from Oregon State to join USC and coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The Trojans are fresh off an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance and added key transfer portal players in order to compete with UConn, South Carolina and other elite women's basketball programs.

Gabriel Duarte

USC guard Talia von Oelhoffen posing for a picture while on a visit to USC.
USC guard Talia von Oelhoffen posing for a picture while on a visit to USC. / Talia von Oelhoffen/X
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USC Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb guided the women's basketball team all the way to a NCAA Tournament Elite Eight berth in the 2023-24 season, where they fell short to Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies. With the Trojans on the verge of breaking through to a Final Four, Gottlieb reloaded the roster with big additions in the transfer portal in the offseason.

Oregon State transfer Talia von Oelhoffen was one of the biggest additions to the roster. The graduate transfer was a two-time All-Pac-12 honoree during her time in Corvallis with the Beavers.

When she entered the transfer portal at the end of the 2023-24 season, she easily became one of the hottest commodities on the market. However, von Oelhoffen was connected to the Trojans nearly right away.

Von Oelhoffen revealed that coach Gottlieb contacted her right away and gave a pitch that she could not refuse.

"The vision that Coach Lindsay (Gottlieb) had for me and my fit in the program and preparing for the next level, on and off the court. I think that Coach Lindsay just hit everything for me on my visit," von Oelhoffen said.

USC
Apr 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb questions a referee during the first half against the UConn Huskies in the finals of the Portland Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Entering her fifth season in college, von Oelhoffen talked about the experience she has as one of the older players on the roster.

"Just having been through a lot and (knowing) experience carries a lot of weight at this level, I think leadership is a big thing I can bring," she started with. "Being a coach on the floor is something I've learned to be really good at and take pride in. I think it's all led up to this point and i'm feeling super excited and confident."

USC will open up their season on Nov. 4. in Paris, France against SEC foe Ole Miss. von Oelhoffen said the team is looking forward to the unique opportunity to play in Europe.

"It's going to be a super cool opportunity and bonding experience...I think it'll be good for this group since we're so new. I think it's just gonna be super cool." she added.

The Trojans' other transfer portal addition, Kiki Iriafen is just as highly-touted as von Oelhoffen. Hailing from Stanford, Iriafen was the 2024 Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year and an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention.

The Trojans could have the opportunitiy to have the best transfer class when it's all said and done at the end of the season in March.

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Gabriel Duarte
GABRIEL DUARTE

Residing in Los Angeles, Gabriel Duarte is a senior at Cal State Northridge and is pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. Gabriel is passionate about college athletics and is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and Oregon Ducks on SI. Gabriel has covered many college sporting events around the Southern California area including basketball and football for USC. Gabriel also writes for his local newspaper on high school sports.

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