SoCalHoops Recruiting News

USC Finally Gets Letters From
Cravens & Rory O'Neil--(Nov. 14, 2000)

More signing news:  Completing one of their best recruiting classes in years, the Trojans have received three signed National Letters of Intent from twins Errick (6'-2" Sr. PG/SG) and Derrick Craven (6'-2" Sr. SG/PG) from Bishop Mongtomery and Rory O'Neil (6'-11" Sr. F/C) from Ridgecrest Burroughs HS. We've written a ton of stuff about all of these guys over the last three years, and if you want to see prior articles, just use the "Search SoCalHoops" function.  The Trojans also have a commitment from Jerry Dupree (6'-7" So. G/F), who graduated from Moreno Valley's Valley View HS a year ago, and who is currently attending San Bernardino CC, but because he's a JUCO player (who is sitting out this year to preserve another year of eligibility after playing last season at the College of Southern Idaho) he won't sign a NLI like the three out of high school do.

Here's the official press release from the Trojan SID (also available on the official USC Men's Basketball website)--sans pictures. Oh, and while the official press release doesn't mention either of the USC assistant coaches, there's no doubt that Silvey Dominguez and Dave Miller had a large role in securing these three (and Dupree as well) for next year's incoming class.   Congrats to the Trojans and to each of the players.

Men's Hoops Signs Three Prep All-Americans
Guards Errick, Derrick Craven and center Rory O'Neil ink with the Trojans.

Nov. 13, 2000

LOS ANGELES - Twin prep All-American guards Errick and Derrick Craven from Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance, Calif., and prep All-American center Rory O'Neil from Burroughs High in Ridgecrest, Calif., have signed letters of intent with USC, Trojan men's basketball coach Henry Bibby announced today. 

"I think all three will be impact players," Bibby said. "These were players who were recruited nationally and whose commitments to USC display the continued progress and growth of our program. 

"Errick and Derrick Craven are both outstanding players whose athleticism and tenacity are second to none. They are relentless players who promise to add a lot of punch offensively and defensively. Rory O'Neil has shown the potential to be a great post player at this level and we're excited to add his size and skill to the team." 

Both of the Craven brothers, from Carson, Calif., are 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds. As 1999-2000 juniors, Errick Craven averaged 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.6 steals and Derrick averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 steals as the pair led Bishop Montgomery to a 28-5 record and the Division III state title. The brothers were also 1999-2000 All-CIF Division III Co-Players of the Year. 

Errick Craven (pictured left), expected to be one of the top senior guards in the country this year, is a 2001 Street & Smith's preseason All-American high honorable mention selection and was a 1999-2000 Daily Breeze and Los Angeles Times South Bay/Westside Player of the Year and the Del Rey League Co-Player of the Year. He has been ranked among the Top 20 prep point guards in the nation by Athlon Sports, FOXSports.com and MidWestHoops.com. He has been tabbed as the No. 28 prep player in the country by FOXSports.com and is ranked No 37 by Prep Hoops, No. 49 by ESPN, No. 71 by CNNSI.com, No. 75 by Lindy's and No. 80 by Hoop Scoop's. 

As a sophomore in 1998-99, Errick averaged 18.2 points per game en route to All-CIF Division III first team Daily Breeze All-Area first team and Del Rey League MVP honors. 

Derrick Craven (pictured left), a 2000-2001 Street & Smith's preseason All-American honorable mention selection, was a 1999-2000 USA Today All-American honorable mention pick and a Los Angeles Times South Bay/Westside first team selection. He was ranked No. 43 by Prep Hoops and No. 81 by Basketball Phenoms. 

As a sophomore in 1998-99, he averaged 12.4 points per game and earned All-CIF Division III first team, Daily Breeze All-Area third team and Del Rey League first team honors. 

O'Neil (pictured right), a 6-foot-11, 220-pound center from Ridgecrest, Calif., is a 2000-2001 Street & Smith's preseason All-American high honorable mention selection who averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game as a junior in 1999-2000. Last year, O'Neil earned All-CIF Division II-A first team honors. He was ranked as the eighth best prep center in the nation by FOXSports.com and among the top 20 prep post players by Athlon Sports. He was ranked the No. 52 best prep player overall by ESPN.com and 95th by CNNSI.com.

 
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