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SoCalHoops College News

USC's Clancy And Turner Both
Out For 6-8 Weeks--(Jan. 21, 2000)

We've been so wrapped up following the comings and goings, wins and losses on the local high school level, that we've pretty much been ignoring (or just periperally following) some of the local college stuff here in SoCal. But with the homecoming of Gilbert Arenas and Luke Walton (well, it was a sorta, kinda homecoming for Luke, what with dad Bill in the house) last night a Pauley Pavilion, and the absolutely huge win by USC over ASU, it's pretty hard to ignore what's happening this weekend here in LA. But then just when those pesky Trojans think things are going their way, booom, the anvil drops on their collective heads. . . We just got this from the USC athletic office, and it's an official press release, which can also be found on the USC Athletic website, so this is no joke. Here's the scoop:

Sophomore and senior forwards both suffered fractures against ASU.

Jan. 21, 2000

LOS ANGELES - USC sophomore forward Sam Clancy, the Pac-10’s second-leading scorer, and senior forward Jarvis Turner, the Trojans’ top reserve, will both be out 6 to 8 weeks while recovering from injuries sustained in USC’s 95-92 win over Arizona State on
Thursday (Jan. 20), USC coach Henry Bibby announced today.

Turner fractured his left ankle in the first half against the Sun Devils while Clancy fractured a bone in his right foot in the second half. Both injuries occurred while attempting layups off fast breaks.

“Losing Jarvis Turner and Sam Clancy are both serious blows and we will have to rally as a team to pick up the slack,” Bibby said. “But this is not something we can dwell on. People like (junior guard) Rashad Jones, (freshman center) Kostas Charissis and (freshman guards) Nate Hair and Malachi Thurston are going to have to step up.

“We’ll miss a guy like Sam because of his dominance and we’ll miss Jarvis because of his leadership on the floor. Sam has been a monster on the boards and has been our leading scorer. Jarvis has been instrumental in two of our last four wins because he refused to let us lose.

“For the younger guys, we’ve brought them along slowly, showing them the water before they really got a chance to test it. Now, they’re going to have to swim.”

The 6-foot-7 Clancy leads USC in scoring (17.2) and is second in rebounding (7.7). He is also USC’s leading shot blocker (1.6). He has scored in double figures in the last 12 consecutive games, including 12 points vs. Arizona State.

The 6-foot-8 Turner, USC’s lone senior, had already missed seven games this season with a stress fracture in his left foot and sat out another before the injury was diagnosed. He has played in seven games this year, averaging 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.

Said Clancy: “I’m disappointed, but there’s nothing I can do but stay positive. These type of things happen and I’ll just have to deal with it. Now I have to rehab and support the team in other ways. The team is still very capable of winning without Jarvis and me. Other people will have to step up in our place.”

Said Turner: “This is frustrating, especially since I was already out earlier this year. But I worked hard to get back from my first injury and I’ll do the same now. Everyone on the team needs to come together and pick up the slack.”

The Trojans will face No. 2 Arizona on Saturday at the Sports Arena at 7:30 p.m. without Clancy and Turner, but Bibby is trying to keep the team focused.

“Arizona is a talented team and will be a big test for us,” Bibby said. “But we approach this game like we do for the others. It’s our most important game because it’s our next game. Yes, the task is tougher because of the injuries, but our younger players will have to step up and be ready for the challenge.”

After Turner, Hair has been USC’s most oft-used reserve, seeing time in 13 games while averaging 2.0 points in 11.4 minutes per outing. Jones, who has backed up starting point guard Brandon Granville this year, has averaged 1.1 points in 9.1 minutes per game. Charissis has played in 12 games (starting once vs. Hawaii) and has averaged 1.1 points in 5.8 minutes per game. Thurston has played in nine games (starting once at St. Bonaventure) and has averaged 0.9 points in 6.0 minutes per game.