Rayah Marshall is a Trojan through and through. During the course of her four seasons at USC, she’s racked up more accolades and accomplishments than there is room to list here. Most recently she’s taken the next step in her basketball career after being drafted in the second round of the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. House of Victory caught up with Rayah during her first few days in Connecticut for updates on how she’s adjusting to pro ball, what her draft experience was like, her time at USC and more. 

House of Victory: Walk us through the Draft process, the day of the draft, what all that looked like for you. 

Rayah Marshall: The day of the draft obviously that’s huge. In the days leading up to the draft you’re interviewing with teams, talking to your agent about where you could land, what team would be the best fit. Leading up to the draft, my family and I were really excited, I knew I was going to get drafted, my coaches had told me that and so it was really exciting for me. I wanted to share that moment with my family, so I had a get together for my family at my mom’s and then before I knew it, the day of the draft was there. It’s a day that I had dreamed about since I entered college and it was surreal to go through it. It was really like living in a dream. I saw my name on the TV, heard it getting called, the GM of the Sun FaceTimed me with my whole family in the background and we were just celebrating.

HOV: What happened next? You get the call, you hear your name on TV, and then what? 

RM: The next day you wake up, you’re drafted, and the coaches and staff had told me we’ll let you enjoy the moment with your family and then we’ll let you know what the plan is for having you arrive in Connecticut. Not even a week later I’m in Connecticut. It happened so fast.

HOV: How have the first few days in Connecticut been? 

RM: I’m trying to adjust to the time change, trying to adjust to pro level basketball, which is fun, I’m learning a lot of things, but also trying to fathom that I’m really here and living my dream. It’s all new to me but it’s been so much fun. It’s the best competition that I’ve played against. I’m just embracing it all. This is my first year here and I’m just trying to embrace it and enjoy it and live day by day. 

HOV: Has anything surprised you about going through the draft and your time with the Sun so far?

RM: This is really a job. It’s adult life, it’s not college anymore, but in a good way. There’s no one hitting you about team weights at this time, or anything like that, it’s very individual and every workout is tailored to you as an individual. This is playing a sport for work. It’s different, but it’s a really good thing. I’m learning so much that I hadn’t before. I’m enjoying it so much, I’m living for the first time in a different state, which is exciting and different, but the time change is not fun. I’m texting my family good morning before they’re even up. 

HOV: How do you feel like your game translates to the W?

RM: I feel like it’s just about me being me, just at a more elite level. Getting bigger, stronger, faster against better competition and just embracing what the program is showing me and how they are developing me as a more elite player. It looks like me getting stronger, carrying the habits I learned in the past four years to the next level but it’s really just me continuing to be me and play my game.

HOV: How do you feel like your time at USC prepared you for this next step?

RM: It prepared me in the sense that I played in an elite program. My teammates were elite. I know what it’s like to play against some of the best players in college with Kiki and JuJu. So now, I already know what it’s like to have to play against high IQ players, to communicate, how to guard in different situations, how to speak without being shy, because I was able to have that experience and exposure at an elite program.

HOV: What would you tell yourself as an incoming freshman at USC looking back now?

RM: I’d probably say to just take advantage of everything you can, everything that’s available to you. Just embrace who you want to be and dominate over and over again, consistently, focus on doing what you’re good at. Capitalize on what you’re good at on the court.

HOV: What would you say to USC fans who will be cheering you on as a pro?

RM: I would say that your ongoing and unconditional support has instilled the confidence in me that I have today and I can't say thank you enough for that. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Trojan Family and I’m so appreciative. And of course, Fight On! 

HOV: What does it mean to you to be a Trojan?

RM: It’s hard to verbalize because it’s more than you can put into words. Being a Trojan means to bleed Cardinal and Gold, but also having pride in knowing that you’re getting the best of both worlds academically and in basketball. You’re not just competing at an elite level, but we were also financially supported through NIL, getting more media exposure than other college teams, we had sold-out games, and on top of all that to be a Trojan is to have this network of alumni, professors, classmates, teammates that you can count on. You see so many Trojans come back and support us in the sports world, our professors, our teammates, it feels genuinely like a family. That’s what it means to be a Trojan: you have a huge family - the Trojan Family.