DeMar DeRozan is academically eligible to play for USC

Top USC basketball recruit DeMar DeRozan said today that university officials have academically cleared him to immediately begin basketball activities with the Trojans.

DeRozan, a 6-foot-6 forward from Compton High, was prepared to enroll in summer classes, most likely at Compton College, he said, to ensure he’d be eligible to play at USC.

He said he took an ACT college entrance exam in June, and the score, combined with his grade-point average, clinched his eligibility. He said USC compliance officials informed him of the positive ACT outcome on Friday.

Last week, USC Coach Tim Floyd said he was prepared to wait until the end of August for DeRozan to be deemed eligible. DeRozan was set to start summer classes Monday to beef up his GPA if necessary, but said he has instead withdrawn.

“I can go work out with the team, get in the weight room, without worrying about the classes or extra tests,” DeRozan said.

The development also muted rumors DeRozan would follow former Compton Dominguez High standout Brandon Jennings to play professionally in Europe. Awaiting his own SAT result, Jennings opted last week to forgo a season at Arizona before his expected 2009 entry into the NBA draft.

“All the talk about that and everything else can just go away,” DeRozan said. “It’s all out of the way now. I can just get ready for school.”

 lance.pugmire@latimes.com