SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Finally Official: LMU Press Release
On New Signees & Transfers--(June 7, 2000)

We've been waiting for what seems like an eternity for the Loyola Marymount Men's Basketball office to officially acknowledge the new signings, and they've finally done it.  We just received an e-mail from John D. Shaffer, the Sports Information Director for the LMU Athletic Department, who sent us an official press release.  While there's still no word about the players who have left the program (at least not officially), and the release seems to have confused Kent Dennis' hometown (they've got it as Chino Hills, which is about 40 miles to the east of Reseda, where Kent attended and graduated from LA Cleveland HS),  but at least this is finally something official on the signings. . . here's the official word about the four signees and two transfers:

Men’s Basketball Begins Aggers Era with Four Signees
Two Transfers Also Join Newcomers for LMU Basketball

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 7, 2000) - The Loyola Marymount University men’s basketball program, under first year head coach Steve Aggers, announced the signing of four newcomers and two transfers to the Lions basketball program.

Junior college transfers Robert Davis (G, 6-2, 195, Jr., Tempe, Ariz.), Marcus Smith (G, 6-0, 180, Jr., Vacaville, Calif.) and Eurskine Robinson (G, 6-0, 180, Jr., Palmdale, Calif) are joined by Dominguez High School graduate Sherman Gay (F, 6-7, 190, Fr., Carson, Calif.) in signing letters of intent to attend LMU for the 2000-2001 season.

Also joining the Lions are two transfers from the West Virginia University. Keith Kincade (G/F, 6-6, 195, So., Norwalk, Calif.) and Kent Dennis (G, 6-4, 205, So., Chino Hills [sic]. Calif.) both return home to play with the Lions and will redshirt next season.

“Even though we got the job late we still feel very good about our first recruiting class,” said Aggers, who took over the Lions program in April. “We were able to fill some immediate needs at the guard position and add young men who we believe are solid students, solid citizens and skilled basketball players.”

Davis, who led the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference in scoring with 26.2 points per game, returns to LMU after departing a year ago. As a freshman at LMU during the 1998-99 season, Davis played in 26 games and averaged seven points per contest. Following his sophomore season at Chandler Gilbert Junior College in which he was named first team All-Conference, the junior will provide an instant lift at the guard position for the Lions.

“We feel very fortunate to have signed a junior college talent like Robert,” said Aggers of Davis. “He is very excited about coming back at a time when he will be a difference maker in our program’s development. His unselfishness and desire to be a complete player and future leader of this program is very impressive. We are excited to be coaching Robert as we work together to rebuild the Lions program.”

Transferring from Butte College in Oroville, Calif., Smith averaged 13.6 points per game. He finished his sophomore campaign at Butte shooting 40-percent from the three-point line (52-of-130). In leading Butte to their first winning season in four years (18-11), Smith grabbed 82 rebounds (2.9 per game), had 74 assists (2.7 assists) and added 65 steals (2.3 per game). 

“Marcus is a tough nosed and highly competitive player who will bring some intangibles to our program. His fierce competitiveness that shows in his tenacity at the defensive end is very important to our program,” said Aggers. “I like his versatility and how hard he plays all the time.”

Robinson also joins the Lions from a California JC, College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. The Palmdale native finished his sophomore campaign at COC with 230 assists (8.2 per game), the third highest single season total. Combined with his 191 assists his freshman season, Robinson finished his career with 421 assists, a school record. He also added an average of 10 points per game both seasons, leading College of the Canyons to the second round of the state playoffs each year.

“One of our most pressing needs was to find an experienced point guard that could come in and lead this team. We believe we found that young man in Eurskine,” said Aggers. “He is a lead guard that makes everyone on the team better.”

The lone high school signee is no stranger to winning programs, as Gay comes to the Lions from Dominguez High School. Gay averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocks a game for Dominguez, who won both the USA Today National Championship and the California State Division II Championship. The Carson native was voted All San Gabriel Valley League in 2000.

“Sherman is a fine young player with his best basketball yet to come,” said Aggers. “He is an outstanding student and the type of young man we want to build our program with. He has the ability to go inside and yet play facing the basket. He will need to get busy in the weight room and continue to grow as a player with individual skill development.”

The Lions will get a boost from two local kids returning home in transfers Dennis and Kincade. Following their required redshirt year, the two guards will have an instant impact. Dennis , who recorded 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals at Grover Cleveland High School, played 19 games for West Virginia last season. He averaged 11 minutes and 3.7 points per game. In 1999 he was voted first team All-Valley.

“Dennis has the size and strength to be a good big guard and yet the mentality and ball handling skills to play some point guard,” said Aggers. “We are glad to he decided to transfer back to Southern California and we look forward to see how he improves and builds this redshirt season.”

Kincade, who also averaged 11 minutes with the Mountaineers, graduated from Dominguez two years ago. He averaged 14 points per game at DHS, leading them to a 32-3 record and a #5 ranking in the nation by USA Today. That team also won the Division II State Championship. Kincade averaged 3.2 points per game his first year of college.

“Keith was a highly recruited young player out of high school with a dynamic future. Coming back to Los Angeles will be exciting for his family and friends and for the Lion basketball program,” Aggers said. “He has had a year of tough competition in the Big East Conference and with a redshirt year to get stronger will have three solid season with us.”

-GO LIONS-
John D. Shaffer
Sports Information Director
Loyola Marymount University

 
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