SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Steve Scoggin Signs LOI
With UNLV--(May 10, 2000)

We reported several months ago that Steve Scoggin (6'-0" Sr. SG) had committed to UNLV, but it took someone inquiring on the message forum to get us to wondering whether Steve had actually signed an LOI during the early signing period.  Well, were' not wondering any longer, because UNLV has issued a press release confirming the signing (along with the signing of two other players, Jermaine Lewis and Omari Pearson).  Here's the official press release from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Congratulations to UNLV coach Billy Bayno and to the Runnin' Rebel fans on an excellent group of spring signees.

Runnin' Rebels Basketball Announce 2000-01 Recruiting Class
UNLV's recruiting class will consist of three freshmen and one junior college player.

LAS VEGAS - UNLV Runnin' Rebel head basketball coach Bill Bayno announced that Lafonte Johnson, Jermaine Lewis, Omari Pearson, and Steve Scoggin have signed national letters of intent to play at UNLV beginning in the 2000-01 season. 

Johnson, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound guard, played this past season at Crispus Attucks (pronounced Attics) Charter School in York, Pa., and played for coach Isiah Anderson. As a senior, he was the team's leading scorer with a 19 point average and dished out a team-high 10 assists per game and also averaged three rebounds and two steals. He was named his team's offensive player of the year and was named the most valuable player of the Prep School National Invitational. "Lafonte is the player we thoroughly evaluated and felt comfortable with taking over the reins of the team," Bayno said. "He has toughness, intelligence and has the ability to knock down open shots. He also has uncanny court sense." 

Lewis, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard, played the past two seasons at Kilgore (Texas) College for coach Scott Schumacher. As a sophomore, he appeared in 29 games and was the team's leading scorer with a 26 point average (754 total points). He also averaged 8.0 rebounds (233 total) and 2.5 steals (72 total). He shot .470 from the field (253-for-538), .371 from 3-point range (118-for-318) and .659 from the line (87-for-132). He canned a season-high 11 3-pointers against Tyler (Texas) Junior College. He was named second-team All-American, first-team All-Texas Eastern Conference and first-team All-Region. "He is a pure shooter in every sense of the word," Bayno said. "He can shoot off the catch and also spot up and shoot. He was one of the better rebounding guards in all of junior college basketball. He is certainly the player we wanted to address our shooting needs." 

As a freshman, he averaged 10.1 points and was teammates with current Runnin' Rebels Trevor Diggs and Sylvester Dotson and will be reunited with them for the upcoming season. He played his high school basketball at Wheatley in Houston. Lewis joins former Rebels Kevin James (1995-96, 1996-97) and Tony Lane for a total of five players from Kilgore who are former or current members of UNLV's basketball program. 

Pearson, a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward, was a teammate of Johnson at Crispus Attucks Charter School. He averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, two blocked shots, 1.2 steals and 1.3 assists. He was named the team's most improved player and recorded single game highs of 24 points and 14 rebounds. "He is a young player with a bright future," Bayno said. "At 6-foot-9, he can shoot the 3-pointer and has the knack to come up with loose balls and rebounds. He is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential." 

Scoggin, a 6-foot, 175-pound guard from Irvine, Calif., played this past season at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana for coach Gary McKnight. As a senior, he averaged 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. He played on the varsity for four years and was a three year starter. He ranks second in school history in career 3-point field goals. He was a three-time most valuable player of the his league (Southcoast League as a sophomore and junior and Serra League as a senior). He was a two-time all-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) selection and as a junior, was named the Orange County Player of the Year. "He is a fiery competitor and comes from one of the better high school programs in the country," Bayno said. "He can play both guard positions and his work ethic and versatility will be a welcome addition to our program."

Mater Dei compiled an overall record of 34-2 last season and won the CIF championship and were the state semi-finalist. As a junior, Mater Dei lost in the championship game. Mater Dei were three-time CIF champions in his freshman, junior and senior seasons.

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