Souferian Gets His Shot

Ignoring the naysayers who told him he lacked the speed and ability to play Division I basketball, USC reserve guard Behzad Souferian is indeed playing at a Division I school.

Souferian could be the poster-boy for walk-on players around the country. After spending a year as a sometime starter at Santa Monica College, he walked on at USC and in his senior season is finally getting a little playing time.

On Saturday, the Trojans were furiously trying to overtake Arizona State and Souferian made a three-point basket with six seconds left to get the Trojans within a point. It was Souferian’s first shot this season.

Against Arizona on Monday, Souferian, who finally became a scholarship player this season, scored five points against the Wildcats in nine minutes.

“When you’re a walk-on, you can’t be late for meetings or make mistakes,” said Souferian, who attended Pacific Hills High. “They can just replace you. I’ve talked to walk-on players at other schools and they’re treated like second-class citizens on their teams. That has never been the case at USC. [Coach Henry Bibby] said he gave me that scholarship because of my hard work. He treats me just like any other player.”