After Shaqquan Aaron’s breakout game against UCLA, he went back to the gym

In case there were any doubt that he was serious, USC guard Shaqquan Aaron retreated to a side gym inside the Galen Center late Wednesday night, not long after USC’s upset win over No. 8 UCLA.

Aaron brought a basketball to the post-game news conference, an unusual prop. He said he was planning to work on his shooting, and that’s exactly what he did.

Maybe he needed it before Wednesday. It had been more than a month since Aaron made more than two field goals in a game. It had been longer since he scored 10 points or more. Once a starter, his playing time declined steadily, from 25 minutes per game during the nonconference schedule to 20 during Pac-12 Conference play.

But Aaron was a surprise against UCLA. Coming off the bench, he scored a game- and career-high 23 points. He made six of 12 shots and had no turnovers. By the end of the game, shooting guard Elijah Stewart, also shooting well, was passing up open three-pointers to find Aaron.

“I just thought he played a great game,” USC Coach Andy Enfield said.

Aaron’s breakout was a perk in one of the biggest wins during Enfield’s tenure. USC has jumped out to its best start in years, with an 18-4 record, 5-4 in Pac-12 play. It has done so without forward Bennie Boatwright, who has played in just four full games, and without Aaron finding consistency.

Now, Boatwright could return as soon as USC’s next game, against Washington on Feb. 1. And Aaron has rediscovered his shooting touch.

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USC guard Elijah Stewart (30) blocks the shot of UCLA guard Lonzo Ball during first half action at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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UCLA guard Lonzo Ball looks on as USC forward Chimezie Metu strikes a menacing pose after hitting a slam dunk late in the second half against UCLA at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC guard Elijah Stewart (30) battles UCLA guard Lonzo Ball (2) for a second-half rebound at the Galen Center.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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UCLA guard Aaron Holiday scrambles to control the ball as USC’s De’Anthony Melton, left, Nick Rakocevic and Jordan McGlaughlin, right, try to take it from him during second half action at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC forward Chimezie Metu swoops in for a slam dunk during second half action against UCLA at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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UCLA forward TJ Leaf (22) struggles to shoot over USC forward Chimezie Matu (4) during first half action at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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UCLA forward TJ Leaf, trying to block a shot by USC guard Jordan McLaughlin on Jan. 25, is coming off two subpar performances.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC guard Elijah Stewart (30) loses control of the ball as he is defended by UCLA forward TJ Leaf (22) during second half action at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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USC forward Chimezie Metu (4) celebrates after dunking an alley-oop during first half action against UCLA at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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UCLA forward TJ Leaf, left, battles for a rebound with USC forward Chimezie Metu during first half action at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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UCLA guard Lonzo Ball (2) celebrates after a slam dunk during first half action against USC at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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UCLA guard Lonzo Ball is called for traveling as he tries to drive past USC defenders in the first half at the Galen Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“He started out the year pretty well. He started a lot of games for us. Then he went on a little shooting slump,” Enfield said. “It was just a matter of time before some of the shots started falling for him.”

Aaron, who is playing his first season for the Trojans after transferring from Louisville two years ago, figured to be one of USC’s key pieces. He was expected to fill the vacancy left by point guard Julian Jacobs, one of USC’s offensive leaders, who declared for the NBA draft.

Jordan McLaughlin assumed full point guard responsibilities. Aaron needed to score. At 6 feet 7, he added much-needed length. He was a hybrid who could play guard or forward on a team with plenty of guards but little frontcourt depth.

But Aaron was languishing by the middle of the season. His performance Wednesday boosted modest totals: He is averaging 9.4 points per game and 3.8 rebounds. Freshman De’Anthony Melton supplanted him in the starting lineup. More recently, so did Jonah Mathews, another freshman.

“But he just made his mind up to start playing harder, to affect the game with his defense, his rebounding, his energy, his long arms,” Enfield said. “We try to tell our players you don’t have to score to have an impact on the game.”

Aaron said he’d always felt comfortable in Enfield’s system. “But some games, shots weren’t falling,” he said. “But I keep shooting.”

He then left the news conference, ascended a flight of stairs, and shot some more.

zach.helfand@latimes.com

Follow Zach Helfand on Twitter @zhelfand