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Cherry headed to USC

Under Andy Enfield, recruiting has gone very well at USC. Friday afternoon, Enfield and the Trojans landed their highest ranked recruit yet, forward Taeshon Cherry.

The 10th four-star prospect to pick the Trojans since the class of 2014, Cherry is a skilled, versatile and athletic forward who has a long standing relationship with a key member of the Trojans staff in assistant Tony Bland. The relationship combined with USC's vision for Cherry's future and a recent unofficial visit added up to a commitment.

"I took an unofficial to USC last Friday and it just felt like home," Cherry told Rivals.com. "I’ve known coach Tony Bland since I was eight years old and it’s just been that familiarity with him as a coach and building a strong relationship with the rest of the coaching staff. USC’s style of play fits me best and they want me playing at the two, three and four position."

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So enamored with USC was Cherry that he actually helped to recruit another four-star -- forward J'Raan Brooks who committed earlier this week -- to Los Angeles with him before announcing his own commitment.

"Me and J’Raan Brooks talked about going to USC together at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and I know J’Raan’s a really good player," said Cherry. "So when I decided USC was the right place for me I called J’Raan right away and told him to commit this week too."

Cherry doesn't want to stop with Brooks, he's got his eyes on the nation's top ranked player and possibly the best point guard in 2018 as people who he would like to see join him and Brooks.

"The first phone call I’m making will be to Marvin Bagley," said Cherry. "I’m going after Marvin hard and recruiting him to come join us at USC. As far as guards go, we would love to get Tre Jones. He's one of the best point guards in the class. I know some people think it’s a long shot but I’m still going to be in his ear telling him we want him."

With his commitment out of the way, Cherry is looking forward to a strong senior year, trying to work his way into the McDonald's All-American game and being completely prepared for his arrival at USC.

"Between now and when I’m on campus next year the coaches want me working mainly on my perimeter defense and being able to guard from shooting guard to power forward," said Cherry. "I’ll also be hitting the weight room and getting stronger and I’m always working on my shot so that will continue to be a focus for me during my senior high school season as well."

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