Bulls land an '09 BBall commit!

[SouthFLBully]

His name is Shaun Noriega and he is from North Port in Sarasota. He is supposed to be a pretty pure shooter and a solid early commit. 3rd team all state last year as a junior averaging 24pt per game and shot 39% from beyond the arc. Nice job Coach Heath! You can read more about it at rivals:

http://usf.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=800831

And for those of you who are not members to either of these sites Greg's blog has a solid write up on him as well.

Links to paid content removed by Bulliever

[Jake_Ryan]

Heath got his shooter.  Seems like a real good pickup.  Now, lets sign 2 more bigs in this year's class.

[Held_AccountaBull]

great pickup.

[Costa]

Im glad to see Heath is bringing in the top rated recruits! This is just awesome.

[Brad]

There's more posted on our Prospect/Recruit board, linked here.

[Bull Martin]

So, Just to be strait.  This was the 07 - 08 season this year.  Making him come here in 2 years.  A lot can happen in a year and a half, but I hope he sticks with us.

[Velcro]

Yep, this is not for this coming year, but the following season. 

Still a good commit, but you are right, anything can happen.  Who knows who will jump in when this kid tears up his senior year. 

[SRQ]

Not too many programs can offer him what he has listed as his desires.  UF & Miami really only two other options.  Lets hope Donovan stays away.

[Guest]

Noriega snaps up USF offer

By ALAN DELL

CORRESPONDENT

Published Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.

NORTH PORT  Along with his shooting ability, Shaun Noriega has built a reputation for being able to make quick decisions on the basketball court.

The 6-foot-4 North Port junior believes he showed he can make quick and smart decisions off the court when he verbally committed to the University of South Florida on Wednesday. He was offered a scholarship the day before by Bulls head coach Stan Heath.

"I waited one night, but I knew I wanted to accept," Noriega said. "I decided to do it now because USF is a big-time basketball school and I felt it was a great opportunity and a great place for me. I like the coaching staff and where the program is headed. I didn't want to hesitate because they will find someone else."

In averaging 24.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season, Noriega showed he knows how put the ball in the basket. But his ability to knock down the 3-pointer impressed the USF coaching staff the most. With the 3-point line moving back next year in college basketball, coaches are looking for someone who can hit the deep 3 with consistency.

Noriega shot 38 percent from beyond the arc last season in draining 85 treys. He is efficient at the free throw line (79 percent) and shot 44 percent overall from the field.

"Coach Heath told me he definitely liked my shooting and that he offered me a scholarship because I can shoot," Noriega said. "He said the team needed some outside shooting."

Noriega received strong interest from Washington State and Butler. North Port head coach Curt Allen said more offers would come, but said Noriega is a perfect fit for the Bulls.

Heath got a good look at Noriega playing for his Florida Elite AAU last weekend at a tournament in Washington, D.C.

They had talked when Noriega was a guest at the Bulls' last game of the season against Notre Dame.

Heath just finished his first season with USF after head coaching stints at Arkansas and Kent State. The Bulls were 12-19 overall and 3-15 in the Big East.

"A big part of my decision was that this is an up-and-coming program, and I really like coach Heath," Noriega said. "He is intelligent, understands the game and is a nice guy."

The Bulls return leading scorer Dominique Jones, who was one of the top freshmen in the Big East last year.

They've also signed Dwan McMillan, the starting point guard for St. Benedict's Prep (New Jersey).

Allen said Noriega will fit in well with those two and others because he brings something unique with his long range shooting.

Though a verbal commitment is non-binding, Noriega says he has no intention of changing his mind.

"I am a loyal person and like to stay loyal," he said.

Link...

[Velcro]

"I am a loyal person and like to stay loyal," he said.

I love it!  Can't wait to see him play.