Nikola Vucevic, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward from Simi Valley
Stoneridge Prep, confirmed today that he has signed a letter of intent
to play for USC next season.

Vucevic, who averaged about 12 points and seven rebounds during his
senior season, said he also had scholarship offers from Nevada and
Hawaii. The native of Montenegro, who arrived in the United States last
October, said USC coaches had been watching him "all year" before he
signed late last month.

Barring a transfer or a player renouncing his scholarship, the Trojans have now reached their full complement
of 13 scholarship players for next season, meaning they are out of the
hunt for North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson and Kentucky transfer
Derrick Jasper, both California natives.

Vucevic’s father, Borislav, played professionally for 24 years and was a member of the Yugoslavian national team. Vucevic said he would return to Montenegro this summer
before starting school at USC during the fall semester.

"I’m really excited," he said. "I can’t wait to begin."

Asked what aspects of his game needed the most improvement, Vucevic
said he needed to become more athletic and add muscle. He had played on
a club team in Montenegro before coming to the United States for his
senior year of high school.

Vucevic speaks fluent English only nine months after emigrating from his homeland.

"I knew a little bit of English from the movies and school [in Montenegro], but I learned a lot here," he said.

— From a report by Ben Bolch —