An understated reason for the USC Trojans’ success this season is the leadership of their freshman, Avery Howell. In her first year with the team, Howell has played a pivotal role on and off the floor for the number four ranked Trojans. Although many of their wins are thanks to their sophomore superstar, Juju Watkins, USC relies more on Howell’s vocal presence. As the NCAA Tournament draws closer, the Trojans have the talent and leadership to make a run at a National Championship. 

Following her high school career at Boise High School in Boise, Idaho, Howell had multiple opportunities to showcase her leadership while representing her Canadian Heritage. In April 2024, she played for Team World in the Nike Hoop Summit, where her vocal presence was felt in the days leading up to their game. Her coach, Carly Clarke, recognized her leadership while highlighting her competitive spirit and how it affects everyone around her.

“I never see a dip in (Howell’s) energy, and I think that’s so special,” Clarke said after Team World’s 83-80 loss to Team USA. “She’s going to give the same encouragement to her teammates, and she’s going to compete to win every single possession at the same time. There’s a special balance of that competitiveness and belief in everyone around her.”

Throughout her career, Howell’s leadership has come naturally in different ways. From leading by example to her vocal presence, she is always willing to showcase her competitiveness in hopes of elevating her teammates.

“Leadership by example always comes pretty naturally because I’ve always been competitive on the floor,” she said. “I’ve had to work through vocal leadership because sometimes it’s hard to elevate my teammates to the expectations that I have on the floor. I needed to learn how to speak to each of my teammates depending on how they react to certain things being said.”

Over the past year, Howell’s vocal presence has grown while being a consistent asset, even in a different role as a Trojan.

“I feel like my leadership over the past year has gotten a lot better since being a freshman at USC,” Howell said. “It’s changed because of the people I’m around and the role I’m in this year, but regardless, I’m still a vocal person, and I think that comes out naturally onto the floor whether that’s in practice, shootaround, or games.”

USC’s head coach, Lindsay Gottlieb (Got-LEEB), praised Howell’s leadership, highlighting her toughness along with her consistent outspoken demeanor.

“For a freshman to come in and just be a consistent vocal presence is a special quality,” she said after the Trojans’ 83-75 win against Michigan State. “(Howell)’s tough as heck. You can put her in any situation, and she’s very vocal. We can’t get anywhere we want to go without everyone contributing in the ways that they can, and Avery’s vocal leadership is something at this point we rely on.”

For any freshman, the adjustment from high school to college can be difficult. Though Howell is not new to adjusting to the college game, her experience overseas has been her biggest ally.

“From high school to the Olympic team over the summer was (an adjustment), from the Olympic team to USC (the speed and intensity) felt more natural, and I felt pretty comfortable coming in,” Howell said. “I had a bunch of crazy experiences before coming to USC, and they helped me in a lot of different ways.”

Since her mom is from British Columbia, Howell represented Team Canada before the Olympics. She received a training camp invite with the National Team after originally making the U-18 team. Howell experienced a heightened intensity level when playing with professional women athletes, many of whom play in the WNBA.

“Everything was done at a higher level from the time you come to breakfast, to the film, to the recovery, to the conversation with the coaches to knowing the personnel. There was just a higher, more intense level of everything,” she said. “Being introduced to that at 17 years old at the time with grown women professional athletes and WNBA players for the first time was a cool experience. (The experience) helped me be more confident and prepared for the speed of play and the discipline and the business aspect (of basketball).”

In addition to her vocal leadership, the Trojans have depended on her to close certain games this season. Within the last five minutes of a game, she rotated with her teammate, Talia von Oelhoffen (Tall-E-uh Von OL-Hoffen), depending on the situation. Howell spoke about her calming presence in those situations, while having a high level of self-confidence from all the hard work she has put in that is paying off in the end.

“For the most part (in closing situations), I bring a calming presence and try to be steady-headed and not too emotional,” Howell said. “I also have the most confidence in myself because of all the work that I’ve done. I think about those times when I was in the gym when I probably didn’t want to be and that hard work is paying off.”

As USC continues to battle for a national championship, they will continue to lean on their star power and the leadership of Howell.