Disclaimer: Please note, since all posts have to be explicitly clear for some of our UCF vistors, Our Lord Jesus Christ is NOT transferring to USF. There is no inherent attempt to deceive, spin or whatever tangent nuknight wants to take. Just wanted to make this extremely clear since we all know what happened last time...
BTW...this is very good news for USF. Verdajo is supposed to be a terrific shooter and CRM will get him to play defense or else.... ;^)
Former Top Prep Basketball Recruit Transferring To USF
By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com
Published: Jan 9, 2006
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Jesus Verdejo, one of the nation's top prep players at Miami Christian in 2002, is transferring from Arizona to the University of South Florida.
A 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard, Verdejo will become eligible in December and have 2 1/2 years of eligibility at USF.
"It's been two years on the bench watching people play," Verdejo said. "I can't wait to get on the court. I'm ready to take USF's program to another level. I want to show people what I can do."
As a freshman at Arizona last season, Verdejo played 26 games, averaging 2.3 points. He was to be redshirted at Arizona this season before deciding to leave.
"Jesus can score with anyone," Arizona coach Lute Olson said before the season. "He just needs to work on the transition from offense to defense."
At Miami Christian, Verdejo averaged 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists as a senior, finishing as the school's all-time leading scorer. After Miami Christian, Verdejo played in 2003 at The Winchendon (Mass.) School, averaging 22.9 points at the prep school.
"I considered South Florida out of high school, but this time there was a whole different staff," Verdejo said. "I'm really impressed with Coach [Robert] McCullum and [assistant] Coach [Greg] Gary."
"Choosing USF was more of a trust issue," said Art Alvarez, Verdejo's coach at Miami Christian. "It's one thing to want him, but they needed him. It's a real good situation for Jesus."
