April 16, 2002

Standout junior college players Brandon Brooks, a point guard from Portland, Ore., and Roy Smiley, a swing guard from Seattle, Wash., have signed letters of intent with USC, Trojan men's basketball coach Henry Bibby announced today.

"Brandon Brooks and Roy Smiley have the potential to be impact players for us next season," Bibby said. "They are both skilled players who come from winning programs. They will bring a lot of energy and excitement to the team.

"Brandon is a gifted guard with great quickness and the ability to run a team. He's also solid on the defensive end of the floor. Roy is an athletic player who brings experience and toughness."

Brooks, 6-foot-0, 165 pounds, was named the top-rated JUCO sophomore point guard by Lindy's Basketball heading into 2002 and was tabbed a Street & Smith's Preseason All-America fourth team selection. He did not play as a sophomore, however, because of a knee injury suffered prior to the 2002 season. He then transferred to Compton (Calif.) College in 2002, but did not play basketball. He will have three years of eligibility at USC.

As a freshman in 2001 at Indian Hills College in Ottumwa, Ia., Brooks averaged 14.7 points and 7.6 assists, earning NJCAA Region XI first team honors.

A prep star at Jefferson High in Portland, Brooks was tabbed an All-America honorable mention by USA Today as a 2000 senior and a 1999 junior. The 2000 Oregon Player of the Year, he averaged 21.0 points, 9.0 assists and 4.0 steals his senior year, leading Jefferson High to a 28-0 record and an Oregon Class 4-A state title.

Smiley, 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, earned NJCAA Region XI first team honors as a 2002 sophomore and a 2001 freshman at Southeastern Iowa College in West Burlington, Ia. As a sophomore, Smiley averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals. As a freshman, he averaged 13.8 points and made 41.0% of his three-pointers.

Prior to his sophomore season, Smiley was named a Street & Smith's Preseason All-America fourth teamer, the No. 2 small forward in the country by The Sporting News and the No. 5 wing guard by Lindy's.

Smiley prepped at Garfield High in Seattle, Wash., where he averaged 19 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds as a senior in 2000, leading his team to the Washington state championship.

USC's 2002 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 12 by HoopScoop.