2008 USF Basketball Team Taking Shape

USF Basketball Head Coach Stan Heath has been very busy in the late signing period, and the 2008-09 Bulls basketball team is starting to take shape. Only on USFNation.com

After being very busy in the late signing period, the 2008-09 Bulls basketball team is starting to take shape.

Seniors Kentrell Gransberry, Mohamed Esseghir, & Eddie Lovett have all finished their USF careers, and are gone.

Couple that with five players transferring since 2007-2008; Guards Dante Curry, Aaron Holmes, Solomon Bozeman,  and forwards Adamu Saaka and Orane Chin.  The 2008-09 Bulls will have a different look and one that Head Coach  Stan Heath has put his stamp on.

The Bulls return 6 players from last seasons roster. Seniors Jesus Verdejo (G/F) Mobalaji Ajayi (F/C), & Aris Williams (F). Juniors: Chris Howard (PG) & Mike Mercer (G) (Who will be eligible mid December) and Sophomore sensation Dominique Jones.

As of now the Bulls have five incoming freshman: Dwan McMillan (PG), Eugene Teague (C/ F), Eladio Espinosa (F), Gaby Belardo (G).

That makes up 11 of the 13 available scholarships. Which means Heath still has two more to use. Most likely they will try and add more size to the roster, and right now 6'11 Teeng Akol of  IMG Academy is highest on the Bulls radar, but he still has academic hurdles to clear. Expect more roster additions this summer via a late commit or transfer.

Heath doesn't have to use both right now, and assuming that the Bulls use just one scholarship this year, they will have four available for 2009, one currently being earmarked for Shawn Noriega. Leaving room for a possible quality transfer as well.

Right now, the 2008-09 Bulls appear to be guard heavy, and will build off the strong performances by guards Jones, Verdejo, and Howard, but it will be very interesting to see what Stan Heath's team will look like when they hit the court.

2008 returning roster

Pos	Player	No.	Ht	Wt	Class	School
F	Aris Williams	32	6-9	235	SR	Georgetown Preparatory, MD
C/F	Mobolaji Ajayi	33	6-9	225	SR	Palm Beach Community College
G	Jesus Verdejo	23	6-4	205	SR	The Winchendon School, MA
G	Chris Howard	3	6-3	200	JR	Friendly HS), MD
G	Dominique Jones	0	6-4	205	SO	Lake Wales Senior HS, FL
G	Mike Mercer		6-4	190	SO*	South Gwinnett HS, GA

*Transfer

 2008 Commits

Pos		Player	Ht	Wt	School
SG		Gaby Belardo	6-2	187	Notre Dame Prep, Fitchburg, MA
C		Alex Rivas	6-10	220	Pratt CC Pratt, KS
PG		Dwan McMillan	5-10	170	St. Benedict Prep, Newark, NJ
C		Eugene Teague	6-8	295	Apex Academy, Pennsauken, NJ
PF		Eladio Espinosa	6-7	210	Hargrave Military Acad, Chatham, VA

2009 commits 

Pos		Player	School	Ht	Wt	Status
SG		Shaun Noriega	(Northport HS) Northport, FL	6-4	195	Committed to South Florida

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