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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

2002 Signings:  Brandon Brooks &
Roydell Smiley Sign NLI's With USC--(April 19, 2002)

Since last week, our regular readers will note there has been an absence of articles here at SoCalHoops.  No we haven't decided to stop writing, but work (yes, real work) has prevented us from getting in front of the computer for all but the most mundane of tasks.  There's been quite a lot going on in the world of recruiting in the past two weeks or so that we haven't reported about, but we'll play a little catch up here, just to bring everyone up to speed in case you've been living under a rock or on the moon and missed this.

April 10, 2001, or nine days ago, was the first day of the late signing period in which National Letters of Intent could be signed by players committing to enroll this coming fall at a four year NCAA college or university.    Players do not have to actually be "qualified" for freshman eligibility to sign the NLI.  If they eventually do not qualify, either because they don't achieve a high enough score on the SAT or ACT, or don't achieve a high enough GPA (or don't fulfill high school or Junior College graduation requirements, which is a different story altogether) the National Letter they've signed becomes void.    If you want to read about the National Letter of Intent program and what it really means, check out the NLI's own official website.  There's more than enough there to whet your appetite if you're a contracts lawyer....But back to basketball.

This week, the University of Southern California cemented it's future releationship with two very talented players, one of whom we've been extremely familiar with over the years, Brandon Brooks (6'-0" PG), originally from Portland, Oregon,  and Roydel Smiley (6'-4" G/F), from Seattle, Washington.    Both of these guys have been familiar faces around SoCal in previous spring, summer and fall prep tournaments in 1998 and 1999, and for the past few years they've both been well traveled, playing most recently in Iowa at different JC's.   As far as we know, Smiley will be fully qualified to play next year, and Brandon is working on cleaning up some coursework that he needs in order to earn his AA degree, taking classes at Compton City College, in order to gain admission to USC and to be immediately eligible. Assuming Brandon gets the job done, USC will have filled a few immediate needs, including bringing in an experienced point guard to fill the void left by the graduating Brandon Granville.  Here's the official press release of the signings:

Men's Hoops Signs Brandon Brooks, Roy Smiley
Trojans add pair of talented JC transfers.


April 16, 2002

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Standout junior college players Brandon Brooks, a point guard from Portland, Ore., and Roy Smiley, a swing guard from Seattle, Wash., have signed letters of intent with USC, Trojan men's basketball coach Henry Bibby announced today. 

"Brandon Brooks and Roy Smiley have the potential to be impact players for us next season," Bibby said. "They are both skilled players who come from winning programs. They will bring a lot of energy and excitement to the team. 

"Brandon is a gifted guard with great quickness and the ability to run a team. He's also solid on the defensive end of the floor. Roy is an athletic player who brings experience and toughness." 

Brooks, 6-foot-0, 165 pounds, was named the top-rated JUCO sophomore point guard by Lindy's Basketball heading into 2002 and was tabbed a Street & Smith's Preseason All-America fourth team selection. He did not play as a sophomore, however, because of a knee injury suffered prior to the 2002 season. He then transferred to Compton (Calif.) College in 2002, but did not play basketball. He will
have three years of eligibility at USC. 

As a freshman in 2001 at Indian Hills College in Ottumwa, Ia., Brooks averaged 14.7 points and 7.6 assists, earning NJCAA Region XI first team honors. 

A prep star at Jefferson High in Portland, Brooks was tabbed an All-America honorable mention by USA Today as a 2000 senior and a 1999 junior. The 2000 Oregon Player of the Year, he averaged 21.0 points, 9.0 assists and 4.0 steals his senior year, leading Jefferson High to a 28-0 record and an Oregon Class 4-A state title. 

Smiley, 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, earned NJCAA Region XI first team honors as a 2002 sophomore and a 2001 freshman at Southeastern Iowa College in West Burlington, Ia. As a sophomore, Smiley averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals. As a freshman, he averaged 13.8 points and made 41.0% of his three-pointers.   Prior to his sophomore season, Smiley was named a Street & Smith's Preseason All-America fourth teamer, the No. 2 small forward in the country by The Sporting News and the No. 5 wing guard by Lindy's. 

Smiley prepped at Garfield High in Seattle, Wash., where he averaged 19 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds as a senior in 2000, leading his team to the Washington state championship. 

USC's 2002 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 12 by HoopScoop.

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