BREAKDOWN: Alex Stepheson, 6-foot-9, 235-pound redshirt junior forward is a solid defender, rebounder and shot blocker. He is expected to make an immediate impact for the Trojans in the paint. Transferred to USC last season to be closer to his family due to several health concerns, but had to sit out the season.

2008-09:Had his transfer waiver denied by the NCAA on Nov. 19 and had to sit out the season after transferring from North Carolina to USC.

2007-08:Appeared in 37 games for the Tar Heels, averaging 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. Averaged 14.5 minutes per game and hit 53.9 percent of his shots (69-for-128), including making 26 of his last 35 shots (74.3 percent). Ranked third among the Tar Heels with 33 blocked shots. Was North Carolina's leading rebounder in six contests with a high of 11 rebounds on Jan. 31 vs. Boston College. He averaged 6.0 points in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, including back-to-back double figure scoring games against Mt. St. Mary's (12) and Arkansas (10). He was the Tar Heels' defensive player of the game against the Razorbacks and against Washington State in the Sweet 16. Against Arkansas, he was 5-for-5 from the floor with five rebounds and two blocks. In the win vs. Washington State, he had four points, five rebounds and three blocks in 18 minutes.

2006-07:He played in all 36 games as a freshman at North Carolina, averaging 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 6.4 minutes. Scored in 21 of 36 games played. Scored eight points vs. UNC-Asheville on Dec. 16 and vs. Penn on Jan. 3. He had six points and five rebounds in the win vs. Florida Atlantic on Dec. 19. Grabbed six rebounds against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 19, UNC-Asheville and Dayton on Dec. 31. Had a season-high eight rebounds and scored three points in win at Wake Forest on Jan. 24. Scored a season-high 10 points on 5 of 7 shooting in win at Arizona on Jan. 27. Only played one minute and did not score in UNC's comeback win vs. USC in the Sweet 16 on March 23. Had six rebounds in eight minutes of action in the NCAA regional final vs. Georgetown on March 25.

HIGH SCHOOL:Was a fourth team Parade All-American at Harvard-Westlake High in North Hollywood, Calif. Averaged 20.4 points and 17.8 rebounds as a senior. Grabbed 20 or more rebounds in 16 games as a senior. Broke the Harvard-Westlake school record for rebounds in just three seasons, shattering the record held by former Stanford center and Minnesota Timberwolve Jason Collins. Set the school single-game rebound record with 32 and followed that up with games of 31, 23, 28 and 21 rebounds. Was named the Co-MVP of the Roundball Classic in Chicago, Ill. after he had 15 points and six rebounds. Averaged 17.0 points and 14.4 rebounds as a junior. Led Harvard-Westlake to a 26-4 record and the California Southern Section title in 2005. His team lost the state title game by one point. Was ranked the No. 41 prospect in the 2006 recruiting class by Rivals.com and No. 55 by ScoutHoops.com. He was coached at Harvard-Westlake High by Greg Hilliard.

PERSONAL:Stepheson was born on Aug. 7, 1987 in Los Angeles, Calif. Last name is pronounced STEEVIS-son. His favorite NBA athlete is Amar'e Stoudemire. Says his greatest achievement outside of sports was winning a spelling bee as a sixth grader.