For Providence guard Kyron Cartwright of Compton, facing USC in NCAA tournament is, well, providential

It’s an NCAA tournament game; additional motivation is not supposed to be required. The basketball world is watching. One loss and your season is kaput.

But forgive Providence sophomore Kyron Cartwright if he plays with added incentive Thursday when the Friars meet USC in a first-round game in Raleigh, N.C.

Cartwright starred at Compton High and had dreams of playing local college ball, then had to travel nearly 3,000 miles to land at a respected Division I program where he felt comfortable and wanted.

Now Providence’s sixth man, a point guard, Cartwright has the opportunity to play against several old friends. And a USC program that actually snubbed him twice — once when Kevin O’Neill was the Trojans’ coach and he instead recruited point guard Jordan McLaughlin, and a second time after Andy Enfield replaced O’Neill and Cartwright and shooting guard Elijah Stewart were released from their letters of intent by Loyola Marymount after its coach was fired.

Enfield picked up Stewart but, already having McLaughlin, passed on Cartwright.

“That’s why I told him to kick their . . . for not offering him a scholarship,” Compton High Coach Tony Thomas said, laughing.

The soft-spoken Cartwright claims no particular animosity toward USC and says that, although content at Providence, he was initially simply disappointed not to continue his career in the Los Angeles area.

“I was kind of overlooked,” he said. “Obviously, growing up in Southern California it would be nice to be recruited from a school like USC. Unfortunately it didn’t happen, but I’m happy at Providence and very excited to play there.”

Those who know him well expect him to play with a particular edge in the East Regional opener. Elijah Zabludoff, a football lineman at Amherst College who grew up playing basketball with Cartwright, has no doubt his friend will be motivated.

“I think he’s going to tear it up,” Zabludoff said. “Ever since he was a kid, he was a chip-on-the-shoulder player.

“The whole hometown thing is kind of scary. He knows exactly who’s playing, how they play, how their offense works, how their defense works. I think it’s going to be kind of a coming out for him. He’s going to be playing with an extra chip on his shoulder. I think he’s really going to prove himself.”

Cartwright started nine games this season, but most often is Providence’s first man off the bench. Its starting point guard, junior Kris Dunn, is considered one of the best in the country and is headed for the first round of the NBA draft.

This season, the left-handed Cartwright averaged 5.7 points, 4.0 assists and 2.2 assists per game. However, he shot just 35.6%.

Thomas said Cartwright can overcome his shooting woes with practice. “He can shoot the ball,” Thomas said. “He just has to get his confidence up.”

Since Cartwright also has NBA ambitions, Thomas sees a great benefit from having played behind Dunn for two seasons.

“He gets to play with Dunn, so he gets a lot of exposure,” Thomas said. “All the NBA scouts have seen him play, which is good.

“I think his better days are ahead of him after he gets out from the shadow of Dunn.”

In addition to knowing Stewart for years, the 6-foot Cartwright said he had been friends with USC guard Malik Marquetti “pretty much since I was a baby.” The Trojans’ roster also has Southern California products Katin Reinhardt, Chimezie Metu, Bennie Boatwright and McLaughlin.

“I have experience playing against many of their players in high school and in AAU,” Cartwright said.

He comes from an athletic family. His father, Anthony Cartwright, is recreation supervisor for the Compton Parks and Recreation Department, and coached his son’s AAU teams. His brother, Bryce, played basketball at Iowa.

And now young Cartwright plays 3,000 miles away.

“It’s East Coast, but it’s definitely a good fit for him,” Zabludoff said. “He’s going to be their guy for the next couple of years. The offense gets a huge spark when he comes in.

“I don’t think he’s disappointed now, because he knows Providence is the best thing for him.”

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