MLI - Diarra set for USC

LOS ANGELES (NCAA) - Mali prospect Mamadou Diarra has signed a letter of intent to play college ball for the University of Southern California.

Diarra joined his Stoneridge Prep team-mate Angelo Johnson in committing to the Trojans. Diarra is ranked by recruitment specialists rivals.com as the 15th-best prospect in the nation and is a further boost to a USC 2007 recruiting class already ranked second in the country.

"Mamadou has unlimited potential," Trojans coach Tim Floyd said. "He has the ability to shoot from the perimeter and post-up, which is rare for a 6ft 11in guy.

We always like big guys who can run and we didn't see another big guy in the country with his ability to run and jump.

"Our league is getting bigger and bigger. His size gives us a better opportunity to match up with the size we are seeing in the conference."

The 235lb Diarra, who hails from Bamako in Mali, averaged 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds last season for Stoneridge.

"Mamadou was the best all-around big man in the country this year from a prep school," said Babacar Sy, coach of Stoneridge, a school in the Simi Valley, north of Los Angeles.

"He was recruited by every major school in the nation. His size and athleticism will be a great asset for the Trojans. His potential is unlimited and he is thrilled to continue his development under coach Floyd."

The names of Diarra and Johnson are added to a list of incoming Trojans that includes high school star OJ Mayo as well as DaVon Jefferson, Leonard Washington and Marcus Simmons.

Diarra will keep up the African influence on the roster after Senegal's Abdoulate N'Diaye graduates this summer.

FIBA