SoCalHoops Recruiting News

USC Signs Jack Wolfinger and
John "Gizmo" Oliver To NLI's--(Nov. 20, 2001)

We've been expecting confirmation of these two National Letters of Intent since last Thursday when the early signing period started, but USC held off making the announcements until today.  These are two very good, very solid signings of two much-needed big men with some bulk (and we're sure we won't have to read comments next season like those we saw from Fresno State's Melvin Ely who said to Tark during the Bulldogs' defeat of the Trojans last week:  "They're not big enough...they're not big enough...).  Here's the official press release about the signings of Oliver and Wolfinger by the Trojans:

Men's Hoops Signs Ventura College Standouts
Jack Wolfinger, Jonathan Oliver ink letters with Trojans.

Nov. 20, 2001

Standout Ventura College teammates Jack Wolfinger, a small forward from Portland, Ore., and Jonathan "Gizmo" Oliver, a power forward/center from Manhattan, N.Y., have signed letters of intent with USC, Trojan men's basketball coach Henry Bibby announced today. 

"These are two talented players who will continue to give the program credibility," Bibby said. "They are both versatile players who can play inside and out. They are big men who will give us a lot of size, which we'll need next year. 

"Jack can come in and play a wing. He can probably play the two, three or four. Jonathan can play the four or the five for us. They will make us a much bigger team, which is something I want to see." 

Wolfinger, 6-foot-11, 225 pounds, transferred to Ventura this season after two years at St. John's. He redshirted as a freshman and played sparingly in seven games in 2001. He graduated from Joel Barlow High in West Redding, Conn., in 1999, where he earned USA Today All-America honorable mention honors. As a senior in high school, Wolfinger averaged 23.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 8.0 blocks and 6.0 assists. 

Oliver, 7-foot, 230 pounds, played as a true freshman at Indian Hills College in Ottumwa, Ia., in 2000. He then transferred to Ventura, where he redshirted in 2001. He prepped at Norman Thomas High in New York, N.Y. 

Currently, Wolfinger and Oliver are playing for a Ventura team that is ranked No. 4 in the country by Street & Smith's (and No. 1 in California).

 
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