lmu signings

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

WCC: LMU Signs 4--Haywood, Worthy,
Ayer & Wardrop--(Nov. 15, 2001)

We received the following press release from John Shaffer, the SID at LMU concerning the four National Letter's of Intent received by the Lions yesterday, the first day of the early signing period:

LMU Men’s Basketball Signs Four High School Recruits
Lions take another step forward in “Restoring the Roar” with four new recruits.

Los Angeles, CA (November 14, 2001) — Loyola Marymount University men’s basketball coach Steve Aggers announced the signing of four high school seniors to National Letters of Intent. John Haywood, Brandon Worthy, Chris Ayer and Wes Wardrop will don Lion uniforms during the 2002-2003 season.

“This summer we set out to find three quality perimeter players and a true center,” said Aggers, who is in his second season at the helm of the Lions. “To improve in the WCC, our staff felt getting bigger on the perimeter and having a true low post threat were critical elements for future success. These four young men meet our objectives and are high caliber students who will contribute to the LMU community for four years.”

Haywood is a 6-6, 200-pound wing from Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, California. Averaging 14 points and seven rebounds as a junior, Haywood led his high school team to a 20-9 record and a quarter-final finish in last years CIF southern section playoffs. An All-Del Rey League performer, Haywood was also tabbed a preseason Street and Smith’s All American honorable mention selection. Haywood has participated in the Los Angeles Rockfish organization under the direction of Dave Benezra.

“John is a terrific defender,” stated Aggers. “He rebounds the ball extremely well and has the athleticism to play above the rim. Like most young players he will need to continue to add strength in the weight room and improve the consistency of his three-point shot. We really like his versatility and size on the wing. John wants to do the extra work to be a good player, which makes him a great addition to our basketball family.”

Haywood will pursue a degree in Communications while studying at LMU. He will play his senior season for Bishop Amat coach Ray Lokar who was former McDonald’s All-American Ricky Price’s (Duke ‘98) prep coach.

Worthy, from San Jose, California is a 6-2, 195-pound guard. As a freshman at Archbishop Mitty High School he averaged 19.5 points earning CIF Central Section Freshman of the Year honors. In his sophomore campaign, Worthy improved to 21.5 points, 8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and three steals while leading his team to the CIF Central Section Championship and being named the CIF Central Section Sophomore of the Year. Both seasons his team won 17 games and he was named first-team all-league. Worthy sat out his junior season after transferring to Mount Pleasant High School in accordance with CIF rules. He was also ranked among the top 120 players nationally by SchoolSports.com.

“Brandon comes from a tradition of winning,” remarked Aggers. “He is a tenacious defender who can shoot the three and create offense off of the dribble. Brandon has a competitive nature and drive to excel that will enable him to have a great career as a Lion. He already has a Division I body and very high expectations for himself on the floor and in the classroom.”

Worthy plans to major in Business at LMU. He spent the summer months playing for Steve Cotton’s Next Level basketball program and will play his senior season for coach Robert Lopez at Mount Pleasant.

Measuring 6-11 and weighing 250-pounds, Chris Ayer comes to LMU from Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Ariz.

“Chris will be the first true center at LMU since Peter Cornell who signed this summer with the Los Angeles Lakers,” commented Aggers. “He brings a physical presence to the court that we needed to find in this recruiting class. Chris is an amazing young man who recently completed the requirements to earn Eagle Scout honors. He blocks shots, rebounds and has a knack for scoring both in the low post and facing the basket. With the strength and explosiveness gains of another year of high school, Chris will be ready to compete as a freshman.”

As a junior under Flowing Wells coach David Verdugo, Ayer averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks per game. He has over 300 blocked shots in his high school career, leading his team to 38 wins over the past two seasons, two Arizona state playoff appearances and one 5A south regional championship game. During his team’s success, he received a nomination for the McDonald’s All-American Team. He is ranked as one of the top 25 players in the western United States by PrepWestHoops.com, the #4 center in the West and one of the top two players in Arizona. Ayer is deciding between engineering and animation as a major.

At 6-3, 195-pounds, Wardrop is a native of Anaheim, California. He attended Loara High School prior to transferring to Worcester Academy in Massachusetts. Worcester competes in the “No. 1 ranked prep school basketball league in America” according to the Recruiters Handbook. Wardrop is a strong, physical guard who averaged 15 points, 5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 3 steals as a junior. Worcester went 17-7 last season. Wardrop was voted one of 15 All-New England team selections a year ago. ESPN.com and RecruitingUSA.com both ranked Wardrop as one of the top 100 high school seniors nationally after this July’s evaluation period. In the off-season he plays for Dave Benezra’s Los Angeles Rockfish organization with Haywood.

“Besides being a great student and good person, Wes is a true gym rat,” declared Aggers. “His work ethic and determination are to be the best he can be and that is admirable. He is a big, strong guard who can create shots for himself and his teammates off of penetration as well as shoot the jumper. Wes loves a challenge and is going to have a terrific career as a Lion because of his intangible qualities. Playing at Worcester has pushed him to be better on a daily basis.”

Business Marketing is Wardrop’s intended field of study.

Haywood, Worthy, Ayer and Wardrop will join 6-8 forward Jason Dickens as newcomers for LMU next fall. Dickens is from Tucson, Ariz., and will redshirt the 2001-02 season under NCAA Division I transfer rules after playing two seasons at Davidson.

“I am excited about this group of young people,” said Aggers. “I believe this class gives our ball club three perimeters and one big man to impact next year’s team. Add to them Jason Dickens and the five other underclassmen, and we have a nucleus with which to build around for multiple years.”

The Lions spend this week in the inaugural Guardians Classic Tournament in Alabama. LMU will play it’s home opener versus Idaho State at 1:05 p.m on Saturday, Nov. 17. Tickets for LMU home games are available by calling (310) 338-LION.