Verdejo: It's Official

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID Office

USF MEN’S BASKETBALL

Bulls Add Arizona Transfer Jesus Verdejo To Program

Sophomore guard WILL BE ELIGIBLE SECOND SEMESTER IN 2006-07

Tampa, Fla. – The University of South Florida men’s basketball program has announced the addition of Jesus Verdejo to the program for the upcoming 2006-07 campaign.

“We are elated to add Jesus to the program,” head coach Robert McCullum said.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“His offensive skills and versatility will greatly enhance our backcourt and will help to fill the shoes of James Holmes, who we lose to graduation.”

A transfer from the University of Arizona, Verdejo is enrolled at the University and will begin practicing with the team this week.  He will be eligible to compete with the Bulls beginning in December as a sophomore and will have two more seasons at USF.

The 6-4, 195-pound guard arrives in Tampa after spending the 2004-05 campaign with Arizona.  He made 26 appearances for the Wildcats off the bench, averaging 2.3 points and 0.4 rebounds per game.  Verdejo saw action in two NCAA Tournament games (Utah State, UAB) and pound-for-pound was considered the strongest player on the team.

A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Verdejo was a member of the Puerto Rican national team this past summer at the 2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championships for Men.  In eight games, he averaged 11.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.  He shot 50 percent (28-of-56) from the field and helped the squad to a seventh-place finish.

“Jesus’ collegiate and international experience puts him in a position to contribute immediately when he becomes eligible next season,” McCullum said.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“He gives us another option at a number of positions and will allow us to play a three-guard lineup if needed.”

Verdejo concluded his prep career at The Winchendon School where he averaged 22.9 points per game and helped the program to a 32-5 record and New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Championship.  He finished his career at Christian High School in Miami, Fla., as the program’s all-time leading scorer.  His two-year tenure included a state championship and national ranking that moved as high as No. 2 in the country.

[The_Reaper]

Welcome Jesus!!! You are now a proud member of the BULL Family!!!  

[___ Eats It]

Jesus is my homeboy...

[bulls96go]

go mac

[bullman3]

Hope this guy is one of many to help turn this team around.

[BigShoop]

If all the transfers pan out, we have a legitimate shot at being a "middle of the road" team....

[tampajo]

Such high aspirations...our new hoops marketing slogan should be "USF Hoops, we might be short, but we're slow...."

[Markeymark]

If all the transfers pan out, we have a legitimate shot at being a "middle of the road" team....

middle-of-the-road in the Big East means we are a tournament-caliber team...I'll take it in a heartbeat.

[Velcro]

middle-of-the-road in the Big East means we are a tournament-caliber team...I'll take it in a heartbeat.

no kidding...  The big east has 16 teams and most prediced 8 going to the dance this year... heck, anyone who makes it to Madison Sq Garden will at least be in consideration for the dance... can't say that about many conference tournaments.

[beastiebull]

We'll be middle of the road in the nation, not the BE.