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April 13, 2005

USF Signees for 2005-06

Jesse Byrd		Fr.	6-7	190	F	Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS
Omar Samhan		Fr.	7-0	260	C	San Ramon, CA/San Ramon Valley HS
Danny Cavic		So.	6-6	205     F/G	Tustin, CA/Tustin HS/Santa Ana JC
James Morgan		Fr.	6-9	235	F	Seattle, WA/Rainier Beach HS
Drew Shiller		Fr.	6-0	175	G    	Burlingame, CA/Burlingame HS

Note: USF already has transfer Armondo Surratt in next year's class.
The Oakland Tech alum redshirted in 2004-05 after starting two seasons at the University of Miami.

San Francisco, CA --(Apr. 13, 2005) University of San Francisco head basketball coach Jessie Evans today announced that San Ramon Valley center Omar Samhan and Bishop O'Dowd forward Jesse Byrd have signed NCAA letters on intent to play basketball at USF next fall.

"We are very happy to add these two outstanding freshmen from the East Bay," said Evans. "We have certainly improved the team's size and inside strength with these two newcomers. Along with transfer point guard Armondo Surratt, the two other high school seniors in this year's recruiting class, guard Drew Shiller from Burlingame and forward James Morgan from Seattle, and JC freshman Danny Cavic from Santa Ana JC, we have a great group to add to our nucleus returning from last year."

The Dons finished 17-14 and played two games in the N.I.T. last season, but have lost WCC leading scorer John Cox, and starters Tyrone Riley, Jason Gaines and Andre Hazel to graduation. Hazel and Gaines shared the point guard starting slot. Returning starters Jerome Gumbs and Alan Wiggins return at guard and forward respectively.

The 7-foot Samhan led San Ramon Valley to a 26-4 record averaging 21.9 points 13 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game. He was named Contra Costa Region Player of the Year and first team all-Metro by the San Francisco Chronicle. Samhan was also named MVP of the East Bay Athletic League, Cal-Hi Sports First Team All-State Division 2 and Contra Costa Player of the Year. San Ramon Valley won the North Coast Section Division II title and lost to eventual state champion Oak Ridge in the NorCal Playoffs.

"Omar has great potential for us in the post. He's got great hands and mobility for a guy his size he's always improving because he's such a hard-worker. We expect him to challenge for significant minutes as a freshman."

USF got an athletic forward who can score in rebound in Bishop O'Dowd's 6-7 Jesse Byrd. The two-time all-Hayward Area Athletic League player averaged 16.5 points and 11.1 rebounds a game and helped lead O'Dowd to a 21-10 record the semifinals of the NorCal tournament.

"Jessie is a versatile player who is affective with both his inside and outside game," said Evans. "We are equally excited to have him enter our program, as well. He can score, rebound and block shots. He shot 57% from the floor last season and 71% from the free-throw line."

"The six new players that enter our program next season will enable us to compete in the West Coast Conference both next year and in the near future," he continued. "We are thrilled that four of the newcomers are from the Bay Area. We have always said that recruiting the Bay Area's top players will be a priority.

"We have what we think will be one of the league's premier point guards in Armando (Surratt). Freshman guard Drew Shiller from Burlingame High will see action at both guard slots and is a proven winner. Omar Samhan will be a force in the post with his size and touch. Both of those players were San Francisco Chronicle First team all-Bay Area and regional players of the year. Byrd and Morgan will give us a lot more versatility and depth up front, while Danny Cavic is a great outside threat."