USC signs two prospects on early signing day

South Carolina head coach Darrin Horn announced on Wednesday that two players have signed National Letters of Intent to attend South Carolina next fall and join the Gamecocks squad for the 2009-10 season. Ramon Galloway (G - 6-2 - 175 - Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./William T. Dwyer) and Lakeem Jackson (SF - 6-5 - 215 - Charlotte, N.C./Christ School) will don the Garnet and Black next season.

"The two student-athletes that we signed addressed our most important need in recruiting, which is perimeter play," Darrin Horn said. "The loss of Zam Fredrick and Branden Conrad at the conclusion of this season, and then Devan Downey and Brandis Raley-Ross being seniors next season, we thought it was our priority. We like that both these players fit into the way that we want to play. They're both very athletic and versatile, and come from programs that have won big time and produced big-time players."

Ramon Galloway (G - 6-2 - 175 - Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./William T. Dwyer)

Averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists as a junior at Williams T. Dwyer under head coach Fred Ross... Led 2007-08 squad to 21-4 record... Played in FHSAA Class 5A regional final... Named first-team all-area and first-team all-conference as a junior... Ranked No. 29 point guard by Scout.com... Ranked as a Rivals.com Top 150 prospect...Played AAU ball for head coach Matt Ramker of the Florida Rams... Chose South Carolina over Virginia, NC State, Marquette, Pittsburgh and South Florida.

Horn on Galloway:

"Ramon is the kind of player that we love, and his best basketball is ahead of him," Horn said. "We think he is going to fit in great with the way we play. He has a great feel for the game, and he's very athletic."

Lakeem Jackson (SF - 6-5 - 215 - Charlotte, N.C./Christ School)

Averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds as a junior at Christ School under head coach David Gaines... Led squad to a 34-2 overall record and the NCISAA (North Carolina Independent School Association) State Championship in 2007-08... Garnered All-State NCISAA 3A accolades... Also named Carolina Athletic Association All-Conference and All-Western North Carolina... Ranked in the Top 100 prospects by Scout.com... Ranked as the No. 20 small forward by Scout.com... Ranked as a Rivals.com Top 150 prospect... Chose South Carolina over Clemson and Marquette.

Horn on Jackson:

"Lakeem will come in as a freshman with an SEC body and an SEC toughness from the start," Horn said. "He plays for one of the premier programs in the country and will give us that long athletic wing that we need. We expect him to contribute immediately."


To discuss this article, visit The Cockpit, our free forum, or The Golden Spur, our premium forum.