THIS SEASON: Gabe Pruitt, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound sophomore in 2006, can play the point or shooting guard positions or small forward. An excellent shooter, defender and leader, Pruitt made an immediate impact on the program as a freshman and could be among USC's Top 10 in career three-pointers and steals with a similar season. 2004-05: Earned team co-MVP honors along with fellow freshman Nick Young as the pair put together two of the best freshman seasons by Trojan baskeball players in school history. Led the Trojans in points (356), scoring average (12.3), three-point percentage (.450), assists (92) and steals (56) en route to being named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. His three-point field goal percentage set a school record and he hit at a .547 clip (41 of 75) in the second half of the season. Was among the all-time Trojan Top 10 freshman in points (5th), average (T-4th), field goals (7th), field goals attempted (8th), field goal percentage (9th -best ever by a freshman guard), three-pointers (1st), three-pointers attempted (2nd), three-pointer percentage (1st), free throw percentage (9th), assists (5th) and steals (2nd). He scored in double-digits in 20 of his 29 games, including a season-best of 23 twice, both times against Stanford, at home on Jan. 22 and at Stanford on Feb. 27. In the game at Stanford, he knocked down a season high of seven three-pointers (7 of 11). The seven tres tied him for the second most made in a game by a Trojan in history (Anthony Pendleton had nine on Dec. 9, 1987). Had a season-best eight assists in the game on Dec. 11 vs. San Diego and grabbed a high of eight rebounds on Feb. 12 vs. Arizona State. HIGH SCHOOL: Averaged 22 points per game as a senior at Westchester (Calif.) High in 2004, earning Parade All-America fourth team, Roundball All-America, Student Sports All-America special mention, Los Angeles Times All-City and South Bay/Westside first team and South Bay Daily Breeze Player of the Year honors. Was listed the No. 20 prep player in the country by Basketball Times after his senior year and among the top 20 prep point guards by Athlon Sports and Insiders.com entering his senior year. Sat out his junior season at Westchester in 2003 because of high school transfer rules, but averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 assists as a sophomore at Centennial High in 2002, leading his team to the California Division III state final. PERSONAL: Pruitt was born on April 19, 1986. Nicknamed "Smilin' Gabe." Is an undecided major at USC and would like to become a computer engineer. His favorite food is french fries. Likes to watch "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Family Guy" and his favorite movie is "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls." Says the best part of being at USC is being part of the Trojan Family. Likes listening to Lil Wayne, Eminem, Jay-Z and T.I. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
