pepperdine notes

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Some Random Pepperdine
News & Notes--(Sept. 6, 2001)

Some random news and "stuff" about Pepperdine from the last few months....

Pepperdine Hoop Scoops Newsletter

This isn't to be confused with Clark Francis' web-based recruiting publication, but Pepperdine is now publishing its own magazine about the basketball program called "Hoop Scoops." According to several messages we've seen posted over on the Pepperdine message board (known as "BreakingWaves.net) which have discussed the newsletter, its available for purchase by the general public. You can get info on purchasing or subscribing by calling the Pepperdine Athletic Department at 310-506-4150.

Unreported Waves Signing--Alex Acker of Rialto

We're not sure where we were a month ago, but evidently we missed this one: The Riverside Press Enterprise apparently reported on August 10 that Rialto's Alex Acker (6'-5" G) signed a scholarship agreement with the Waves. While various reports have had him signing a "letter of intent" clearly that didn't happen because players can only sign those NLI's during specific periods, and August wasn't a signing period..... Acker, a good student in high school, has chosen to sit out this year and will redshirt in order to improve his adjustment to college life. We've seen Acker play for the past several years, and he's agile, long and lean and has excellent upside.

Elan Buller and Michael Hall Both Leave Waves Program

A look at the current Pepperdine roster also confirms what we've been hearing for several months, i.e., that Michael Hall (6'-3" So. G) from San Bernardino Pacific has left the team and will be attending a local JC. Informed sources tell us that the reasons were purely personal and have nothing to do with academics or any troubles on or off the court. Hall still has a scholarship waiting for him and reports are that he may join the team in January if all goes well for him.

Also not formally on the roster this season is Elan Buller (6'-1" Sr. G). Elan is still enrolled at Pepperdine and is still on scholarship but has chosen not to play with the team. He's an excellent student who reportedly made the decision so he could focus on just "being a student" during his last year of college.

So who's on the roster this season? Here's what the official Pepperdine site shows as of 9/6/01:

11    Craig Lewis G 6-3 185 Sr. Portland, OR / Benson Tech HS
12    Micah McKinney G 6-3 180 So. Los Angeles, CA / Dominguez HS
20    Terrance Johnson G-F 6-5 185 Fr. Dallas, TX / Duncanville HS
21    Robert Turner G-F 6-9 200 Fr. Buena Park, CA / Western HS
22    Glen McGowan F 6-8 220 So. Lemon Grove, CA / Notre Dame Prep
25    Mike Westphal G 6-3 180 Jr. Bellevue, WA / Bellevue CC
34    Boomer Brazzle F 6-5 210 Jr. Portland, OR / Benson Tech HS
42    Dustin Johnson F 6-7 210 Jr. Paradise Valley, AZ / Scottsdale Christian HS
52    Will Kimble F-C 6-10 225 So. San Bernardino, CA / Pacific HS
55    Cedric Suitt C 6-10 225 Sr. Atlanta, GA / Mays HS
         Devin Montgomery G 6-0 180 Jr. Mission Hills, CA / Moorpark CC
        Gary Colbert G 6-3 180 Jr. TR Etiwanda, CA / Dixie CC
        Jimmy Miggins F 6-6 200 Jr. Riverside, CA / Los Angeles City CC

Among this group, there's a lot of talent, but only a few seniors. Gone are Derrick Anderson, Brandon Armstrong, Randy Roy, Elan Buller, Michael Hall, and Kelvin Gibbs, but with the addition of the three new players, as well as Acker (who will redshirt) this ought to be a very good team, and it will be interesting to see how the new coaching staff utilizes the talent this year.