USC hoops signee Silas Demary Jr. requested a release from his NLI Saturday after signing with the Trojans in November of last season.

Demary, one of the top combo guards in the country and a 4-star prospect, was one of 3 top-100 prospects in USC’s talented 2023 class, alongside Isaiah Collier and Arrinten Page. Collier is the No. 1 overall prospect in the country in the Class of 2023.

It’s hard not to speculate about why Demary would ask for a release this late in the cycle. One answer could be Bronny James, who obviously has links to Los Angeles and is believed to be heavily considering the Trojans. Obviously, nothing there is official.

Another potential reason for his release could be the return of Boogie Ellis for next season, making Demary’s climb to the starting lineup that much more difficult.

USC is set to be loaded next season, regardless of what a certain NBA superstar’s son decides to do. Ellis, Collier and a number of returning starters should make for a strong season in LA after earning a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament this past season.