USC basketball: Trojans name new radio play-by-play announcer

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Chris Fisher, a 25-year-old USC graduate, has been named as the new radio play-by-play announcer for the USC men’s basketball team, succeeding the late Rory Markas, who died on Jan. 4 at age 54 after covering the team for 12 seasons.

Fisher has spent the last three years broadcasting minor league baseball and has also called sporting events on USC’s website and the campus radio station.

‘We had many qualified candidates willing to accept the difficult challenge of succeeding such a talented and beloved announcer as Rory,’ USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett said in a statement released by the school. ‘In listening to Chris’ work, many of us at USC heard something special in his play-calling ability. Now it’s time for Trojan basketball fans everywhere to enjoy him.’

Fisher will team with longtime USC analyst Jim Hefner, a Trojan assistant coach in the 1960s and ‘70s.

‘I am thrilled and thankful to continue to be a part of the Trojan Family,’ Fisher said in a statement. ‘However, the unfortunate circumstances of how this position opened up are not forgotten as Rory Markas was a tremendous mentor and even a better person to me. This has been a humbling process and I am appreciative that USC has put its conviction in me.’

Fisher, a native of Rohnert Park, just north of the Bay Area, is in his second season as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Eugene (Ore.) Emeralds, a minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres in the short-season Class A Northwest League. He spent 2008 calling the play-by-play for the Potomac Nationals in Woodbridge, Va., an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

-- Baxter Holmes