The men's basketball team is already in camp under 2nd year head coach Kevin O'Neill.
Here's a look at the 2010-11 squad...
#1 Alex Stepheson, Senior Forward
6'10", 250
Stats: 8.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 1.6 blocks per game (2nd in Pac-10)
Stepheson has trimmed down under the new strength and conditioning program and he is manhandling teammates in practice. If he can improve his finishing, he'll be an all-conference force.
#2 Jio Fontan, Junior Guard
6'0", 175
Stats: 15.3 ppg, 4.7 apg and 2.2 rpg as a Fordham freshman
Fontan played five games for the Rams as a sophomore last year before transferring to USC. He will not be eligible until after the first semester, but Fontan will provide steady leadership at the point guard position and some Jersey toughness on the defensive end.
#5 Nikola Vucevic, Junior Forward
6'10, 240
Stats: 10.7 ppg and 9.4 rpg (led Pac-10 in rebounds)
The Pac-10's "Most Improved Player" will hopefully take the next leap this season. The early buzz is that his jump shot has extended to three-point range. While that is a nice option, I would much rather see him dominate on the block.
#10 Maurice Jones, Freshman Guard
5'7", 155
Stats: 30.0 ppg, 12 apg, 5 rpg and 4 spg as an Arthur Hill HS senior
The Michigan native is not the most highly touted member of Kevin O'Neill's first real recruiting class, but he is generating the most hype. Despite his size, Mo can rise above the rim. He'll be asked to handle the ball a lot before Fontan returns, but the coaches seem more than comfortable giving him the responsibility.
#14 Donte Smith, Senior Guard
5'11", 180
Stats: 3.8 ppg and 20 three-pointers (2nd on team) as a junior
#15 Bryce Jones, Freshman Guard
6'5", 200
Stats: 16.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 1.6 spg at Taft HS (Woodland Hills)
Jones is the best pro prospect of the freshman class. He is the type of long, bouncy athlete that evokes memories of DeMar DeRozan and Nick Young. While he continues to improve his jumper, he'll need to find points in the transition game.
#22 Evan Smith, Sophomore Forward
6'7", 225
Stats: 1.9 ppg and 1.1 rpg as a freshman
Smith showed off his hustle early last season when the team was shorthanded, but he was relegated to watching and learning once conference play began. He could turn into a Keith Wilkinson-type player, who will battle at the power forward spot and stretch the defense at the other end.
#33 Garrett Jackson, Freshman Forward
6'6", 215
Stats: 18.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 1.7 spg at Westview HS in Portland, OR
Another long athlete, Jackson needs to fill out a little bit, but he could push Marcus Simmons for playing time at the swing spot. As he develops, he could turn into a more polished Marcus Johnson.
#42 Curtis Washington, Freshman Forward
6'10" 230
Stats: 8.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg at Elizabethtown HS in Kentucky
Washington will be asked to provide depth at the power forward and center positions. At only 230 pounds, he will need to use his shot-blocking ability to overcome stronger opponents in the paint.
#43 Marcus Simmons, Senior Guard
6'6", 220
Stats: 3.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg as a junior
The designated defensive stopper will likely start at small forward and pick up the opponent's best outside scorer. If he can force the defense to honor his jumper and make free throws, O'Neill will be able to keep him in for crunch time.
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Here's a look at the 2010-11 squad...
#1 Alex Stepheson, Senior Forward
6'10", 250
Stats: 8.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 1.6 blocks per game (2nd in Pac-10)
Stepheson has trimmed down under the new strength and conditioning program and he is manhandling teammates in practice. If he can improve his finishing, he'll be an all-conference force.
#2 Jio Fontan, Junior Guard
6'0", 175
Stats: 15.3 ppg, 4.7 apg and 2.2 rpg as a Fordham freshman
Fontan played five games for the Rams as a sophomore last year before transferring to USC. He will not be eligible until after the first semester, but Fontan will provide steady leadership at the point guard position and some Jersey toughness on the defensive end.
#5 Nikola Vucevic, Junior Forward
6'10, 240
Stats: 10.7 ppg and 9.4 rpg (led Pac-10 in rebounds)
The Pac-10's "Most Improved Player" will hopefully take the next leap this season. The early buzz is that his jump shot has extended to three-point range. While that is a nice option, I would much rather see him dominate on the block.
#10 Maurice Jones, Freshman Guard
5'7", 155
Stats: 30.0 ppg, 12 apg, 5 rpg and 4 spg as an Arthur Hill HS senior
The Michigan native is not the most highly touted member of Kevin O'Neill's first real recruiting class, but he is generating the most hype. Despite his size, Mo can rise above the rim. He'll be asked to handle the ball a lot before Fontan returns, but the coaches seem more than comfortable giving him the responsibility.
#14 Donte Smith, Senior Guard
5'11", 180
Stats: 3.8 ppg and 20 three-pointers (2nd on team) as a junior
Smith will have a similar role to last season. While Fontan is out, he'll serve a caretaker role at the point guard position. In conference play, he'll likely be needed as a spark off the bench and a hot hand from distance.
#15 Bryce Jones, Freshman Guard
6'5", 200
Stats: 16.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 1.6 spg at Taft HS (Woodland Hills)
Jones is the best pro prospect of the freshman class. He is the type of long, bouncy athlete that evokes memories of DeMar DeRozan and Nick Young. While he continues to improve his jumper, he'll need to find points in the transition game.
#22 Evan Smith, Sophomore Forward
6'7", 225
Stats: 1.9 ppg and 1.1 rpg as a freshman
Smith showed off his hustle early last season when the team was shorthanded, but he was relegated to watching and learning once conference play began. He could turn into a Keith Wilkinson-type player, who will battle at the power forward spot and stretch the defense at the other end.
#33 Garrett Jackson, Freshman Forward
6'6", 215
Stats: 18.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 1.7 spg at Westview HS in Portland, OR
Another long athlete, Jackson needs to fill out a little bit, but he could push Marcus Simmons for playing time at the swing spot. As he develops, he could turn into a more polished Marcus Johnson.
#42 Curtis Washington, Freshman Forward
6'10" 230
Stats: 8.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg at Elizabethtown HS in Kentucky
Washington will be asked to provide depth at the power forward and center positions. At only 230 pounds, he will need to use his shot-blocking ability to overcome stronger opponents in the paint.
#43 Marcus Simmons, Senior Guard
6'6", 220
Stats: 3.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg as a junior
The designated defensive stopper will likely start at small forward and pick up the opponent's best outside scorer. If he can force the defense to honor his jumper and make free throws, O'Neill will be able to keep him in for crunch time.
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