2022 four-star PF Kijani Wright commits to USC

2022 Sierra Canyon (CA.) four-star power forward Kijani Wright announced his commitment to USC Wednesday afternoon. Wright shared his decision on Instagram Live with Marc Spears, the Sr. NBA writer for ESPN’s The Undefeated.

The power forward from California committed to the hometown Trojans over Arkansas, Texas and Stanford. At the time of his commitment he held 14 total offers.

When the dead period was lifted in June, Wright officially visited USC, Texas and Arkansas. He visited Stanford in the first week of August.

Kijani Wright announced he would be transferring to Sierra Canyon in July after spending the last three years at Los Angeles Windward (CA.). As a sophomore at Windward, Wright averaged 13 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Wright didn’t play the majority of his junior year due to COVID-19, he shared with Spears.

Wright joins a loaded roster at Sierra Canyon. The Trailblazers roster includes 2022 five-star UCLA commit Amari Bailey, 2023 four-star guard Bronny James, son of NBA star Lebron James, 2022 four-star Nebraska point guard commit Ramel Lloyd Jr and 2022 three-star power forward Shy Odom.

In 2019, Wright started all six games for the 2019 USA U16 National Team that went undefeated and won a gold medal in Belem, Brazil. On the AAU circuit, Wright has played for the Compton Magic

Standing at 6-foot-9, 235lbs, Kijani Wright has a similar frame to former USC power forward Onyeka Okongwu, who stands 6-foot-9, 245lbs. Okongwu was selected six overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by Atlanta. As a rookie, Okongwu played in 50 games. Averaging 12 minutes per game, Okungwu averaged 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He was heralded as a key member of the Hawks rotation.

Last season, USC center Evan Mobley averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 57.8%/30%/69.4% shooting splits. Mobley went on to be picked third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wright is the first commitment for USC in the 2022 class. The Trojans are also involved in the recruitments of 2022 five-star centers Dereck Lively II and Vince Iwuchukwu.

Wright ranks as the 5th highest-rated USC commit of all time, per 247Sport’s Composite rating. Wright slides in behind DeMar DeRozan, Robert Swift, OJ Mayo and the aforementioned Mobley.

On3 rates Kijani Wright as a high four-star and 65 overall in the country. Other recruiting sites have tabbed Wright in five-star territory, even as high as top ten in the country.