Eric Musselman on the growth of Keon Ellis & Mason Jones

Jul 19, 2024, 6:56 AM | Updated: 10:19 am

LOS ANGELES, CA APRIL 05: Eric Musselman was named USC's men's basketball coach during an introduct...

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

NBA Summer League is a time to evaluate recent college products, and who better to break down former collegiate basketball players than a current NCAA head coach?

Former Sacramento Kings coach and current USC men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman joined The Drive Guys this week to relay his observations from Las Vegas Summer League, share what it was like to coach against Keon Ellis during his college days, and much more.

Plus: Musselman gives his take on why some college players struggle to make the leap to the NBA.

Topics Discussed with USC head coach Eric Musselman

Diving into the history of the short-lived San Diego Sails
Musselman shares how impressed he has been with the growth of Mason Jones, who he coached at Arkansas
“He’s in the best shape of his life… Mason is a great scorer, a guy that is never afraid of big moments.”
What does Musselman remember about game-planning against Keon Ellis when the guard played for Alabama?
“He was a guy that you really had to prepare for–on both sides of the ball. He has a really bright future.”
Musselman gives his scouting report on Ellis
What does Keon have to work on this offseason before heading into the 2024-25 campaign?
Ellis becoming more of a decision-maker is his next step, says Musselman
Why do some college stars struggle to carry that success over into the NBA?
Musselman on how USC will handle the losses of Bronny James, Isaiah Collier, and Boogie Ellis
Will DeMar DeRozan help the Kings make a leap next season?
Musselman reflects on how his former coaching stops–Sacramento and Golden State–have turned a corner following several down years