"He must like losing": Fans react as USC transfer Desmond Claude snubs Todd Golden's Florida in favor of Big Ten rivals

Former USC Trojans guard Desmond Claude has finally found a new home for the 2025-26 season amidst all the speculations. On Sunday, June 8, Joe Tipton of On3 Sports announced through his X account that Claude has officially committed to play for the Washington Huskies for his fourth stint of college basketball, a conference rival of his now former program.

This report comes after several signs have come out that coach Todd Golden's Florida Gators were in the running to acquire Claude. On April 29, 247Sports reported that the New Haven, Connecticut native made an official visit to the 2025 national champions' campus, but it's been revealed now that he is opting to transfer to the Huskies instead.

College basketball fans and spectators then reacted to Claude's move in disagreement.

"He must like losing," one user claimed.

nathandodge

@Badgerfan26

He must like losing

"Stupid decision," another user asserted.

Mike Ekeler Burner

@MikeEBurner

Stupid decision

"Another Todd Golden whiff," another said.

"They must've thrown an absolute bag at him because this program isn't even competitive in today’s landscape," a user shared.

Other users all over X are then supportive of Claude for opting to transfer to the Huskies instead of Florida.

"Good get Washington!," one fan exclaimed.

USC1987

@Trojanfan33

Good get Washington!

"Washington’s gonna be good," another fan wrote.

"Yeah we’re going deep in March, baby," a user posted.

Desmond Claude now joins coach Danny Sprinkle's Huskies, who finished the 2024-25 campaign with an overall record of 13-18, and just 4-16 during Big Ten conference play earlier this year.

Collegiate hoops analyst Travis Branham once said that the Florida Gators were aligned with Desmond Claude

Collegiate hoops analyst Travis Branham said on the "College Basketball Show" that the Florida Gators is the frontrunner to land Desmond Claude for the 2025-26 season. According to a 247Sports report on April 30, Claude fills a key need for coach Todd Golden's squad, making the Gators likely to secure the incoming senior.

"Florida is frankly the team to beat," Branham said. "When Denzel Aberdeen hit the portal, things really opened up for Florida. Todd Golden is in big need of an impact guard, and Desmond Claude absolutely fits that bill. There sounds to be some heavy mutual interest in this pairing. Heading into the weekend, Florida is absolutely a team to watch."

"There have also been discussions of teams like Ole Miss, North Carolina, Kansas, BYU and some others who have expressed some interest in him. However, they're all taking a back seat to the Gators," he continued.

Calude's move to Washington was unexpected, as the Huskies weren't mentioned by Branham, and Florida ultimately missed out on him. In his lone year with coach Eric Musselman's USC Trojans in the 2024-25 campaign, Claude averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game.