Dwight Lewis looks like ‘old man’ of the Trojans

USC junior guard Dwight Lewis seemed to be the last man standing this week, working out alone in the weight room at the Galen Center.

Lewis was a key piece in what had become a difficult puzzle for opponents to solve, but other key pieces fell out this week. Freshman forward DeMar DeRozan and junior guard Daniel Hackett have said they will declare for the NBA draft, and sources said junior forward Taj Gibson will do so as well.

“It’s going to be kind of weird being the old man on the squad if those guys are leaving,” said Lewis, who averaged 14.4 points. But, Lewis, added, “you can’t stop the program for three players.”

The Trojans won’t stop, but they do have to take pause.

The future seemed bright for the Trojans, who had four starters returning from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, plus a fertile recruiting class. USC, which has been to three consecutive NCAA tournaments for the first time, seemed ready to be anointed Pacific 10 Conference favorites.

Those expectations may have to be downsized with 40 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists a game walking out the door.

Coach Tim Floyd declined to discuss his team’s future, but guard Marcus Simmons said, “Things are going to be different without those guys. We’re going to have to work harder, get the recruits up to speed fast.”

Even that might not be enough.

Lewis said that losing DeRozan, Gibson and Hackett “will change the structure of the team a lot.” But, he said, “We’ll try to make believers out of people.”

Hackett averaged 37 minutes a game, going the distance in nine of the Trojans’ last 13 games.

“Daniel was our emotional leader,” Simmons said. “We all rallied behind him. He would take care of the ball for us and kept us together.”

Unlike DeRozan, who is projected as a lottery pick, and Gibson, who is expected to go in the second round, Hackett’s draft status is murky. Still, he said he will sign with an agent, which will not allow him return to USC.

“I know I’m going against a lot of odds,” Hackett said. “There is a lot behind this. I have made my decision and I’m not going to come back.”

Hackett declined to say what was behind his move.

The Trojans, for the moment, are left with less-than-desirable options at point guard. Donte Smith, a community college transfer, struggled as Hackett’s backup. Freshman Percy Miller, a close friend of DeRozan, remains an unknown commodity.

Mike Gerrity, a transfer from North Carolina Charlotte, won’t be eligible until conference play. Lamont Jones, a 5-foot-11 guard from Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy, will visit USC, but even if he signs it is unlikely he can carry Hackett’s workload as a freshman.

The Trojans are expecting to sign 6-10 forward Renardo Sidney and 6-6 forward Solomon Hill, both from Los Angeles Fairfax, as well as 6-6 forward Evan Smith from Calabasas. Forward Derrick Williams and Noel Johnson have already signed.

“I think we will have the talent to reach the level we expect,” forward Kasey Cunningham said.

But will they have the leadership?

Lewis knows he will be looked on to fill some of that role, though it seems to run counter to his low-key personality.

“I’m going to have to open my mouth more,” Lewis said. “I did that a little bit with DeMar this year. I’ll try to pick that up a little more, help guys through the ups and downs of the season.”

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