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THIS SEASON: Luke Minor, a 7-foot-3, 320-pound center, is a 2001 redshirt freshman who will look to earn minutes as a reserve. The tallest player ever at USC, Minor's size gives the Trojans a load of untapped potential in the post. BIBBY ON MINOR: "Luke Minor has monster size and, after surgery on his feet last year, is really improving his mobility. He has already improved 200% from high school and hopefully, he'll make a similar jump this year. We won't have to depend on him too much this year, but with his size and shooting touch, we feel he'll be an integral part of the team in the future." 1999-2000: Minor redshirted as a 2000 freshman center ... He had surgery during the season to correct hammer toes, but resumed practice before the end of the year. HIGH SCHOOL: Minor averaged 7.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks as 1999 senior at Blue Ride Academy in Dyke, Va., leading his team to a 19-6 mark and an appearance in the state semifinals of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools ... He broke the school's season block record with 67 and the career block record with 124 ... Minor was named Virginia's 10th best prospect by the Roanoke Times ... He earned Tri-County second team honors, was the top rebounder in the Prep League Tournament and was named his team's most improved player. In 1998, Minor helped Blue Ridge turn around a 3-13 mark in 1997 to a 20-8 record and an appearance in the state quarterfinals. He attended Trinity Episcopal High in Richmond in 1997 before transferring to Blue Ridge ... Minor attended Faith Baptist in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1996 ... The school had only 49 students and finished 1-13. SIDELIGHTS: Minor was born on April 17, 1980 ... He is majoring in fine arts with an emphasis on studio art ... He has a strong artistic background and has been drawing (pen and ink) and painting since he was in elementary school ... He also enjoys reading, especially the classics, and lists Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and William Shakespeare among his favorite authors ... His full name is Nathaniel Luke Minor.
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