According to the Los Angeles Daily News, former UNC basketball player Alex Stepheson has opted to transfer to USC. Stepheson, whose father is ill, decided to leave Chapel Hill in May to be closer to his family.

Stepheson, a 6-foot-9 rising junior, has two years of eligibility remaining. It's likely he'll have to sit out the 2008-09 season. However, the NCAA could grant him a waiver to play right away because of his father's medical situation.

Such a move is not without precedent. A year ago, Tyler Smith transferred from Iowa to Tennessee. Smith, who is from Pulaski, Tenn., returned to his home state to be closer to his father. The elder Smith was suffering from lung cancer at the time.

The NCAA ruled Smith would not have to sit out last season as a transfer. Thus, Smith was able to play right away.

Stepheson also considered UCLA and Arizona St.

On Monday, UNC's Deon Thompson said Stepheson's decision had come down to the Trojans and Bruins.

USC officials could not comment on the issue because Stepheson is not enrolled in classes.