SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Pepperdine Signs M.L.King's Marvin Lea To
Go Along With David Patten--(April 25, 2002)

We're kind of late in announcing the signing of David Patten (6'-10" Sr. F) from Placentia El Dorado HS, but then again, Pepperdine doesn't usually issue a press release on all the guys who will be joining the team next season until some time after the signing period ends (which isn't until May 15, 2002).  So even though we're not right on top of this, it's not like we're so far behind the curve that we still can't mention it..... Patten, who played travel ball primarily for the Los Angeles Rockfish but also played in a few tournaments for Pump N Run and BWBA, was named as one of five players selected to the 2002 Orange County Register All-Orange County First Team.  He was also a First Team All-CIF selection,  was selected All-Empire League, as well as a 2002 McDonald's All-American nominee.  And besides all of that, he's one of the funniest guys you'd ever want to meet....really.

And in addition to Patten, Pepperdine has also picked up another fine player this week, getting a commitment from Marvin Lea (6'-2" Sr. G) from Riverside MLK.  Even though there's no story on the official Pepperdine site, the Riverside Press-Enterprise did have a story in today's edition announcing the signing of Lea to a National Letter of Intent.  According to the story by Richard Chaplin in the P-E,  Marvin visited Pepperdine this past weekend and enjoyed it so much he committed on Monday and signed the letter almost immediately thereafter.  Lea chose Pepperdine over schools such as New Mexico State, Santa Clara, and Fullerton. 

In addition to leading his team to the Division II State Championship, Lea also averaged 25.6 ppg and 5.8 rebounds (not bad for a guard).  "Westphal...told me I was the perfect fit for their system," Lea said. "It was just like playing for (King) Coach (Tim) Sweeney (Jr.). If you play full-court defense, you can be on the floor," Lea told Chaplin of the P-E.  "I felt that with Westphal, I'd be able to develop as a player," he said.

In addition to Lea and Patten, Pepperdine has got a very nice incoming class which includes fall signees Cody Horning from Colorado and Derrick Grubb from Texas, and additionally,  the Waves have a commitment from Chase Griffin of Redmond, Washington, who will join the team as well.   From what our sources tell us, the Waves might not be done yet, and they could pick up another top guard in the next few weeks.  We shall see....

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