Arizona Signs St. Bernard Star; Butler, Odom Decide On UCLA

Ed Stokes of St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey, heavily recruited by UCLA, signed Wednesday with Arizona, but the Bruin basketball team did manage to sign two other blue-chip seniors.

The 6-foot 10-inch Stokes, who impressed scouts in all-star camps last summer, chose Arizona over Louisville, Syracuse and UCLA on the first day of the weeklong early signing period for national letters of intent. He averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds a game last season.

The Bruins, meanwhile, signed 6-5 guard Mitchell Butler of Oakwood High School in North Hollywood and 6-10 forward Rodney Odom of Kingwood High in Kingwood, Tex.

“We are excited that both Mitchell and Rodney have decided to attend UCLA,” Coach Jim Harrick said. “Mitchell is a multidimensional performer who can play two or three different positions. He is an outstanding athlete, a great student and a tremendous leader.

“Rodney is a very good athlete who is highly skilled and highly motivated. He runs the floor well, is a good mid-range shooter and can handle the ball well.”

USC signed 6-8 forward Keith Greely of Riverside La Sierra, who averaged 26 points and 17 rebounds a game last season, and Loyola Marymount signed 6-9 Chris Scott of Logan High School in Union City, Calif.

Other area seniors who announced their intentions include Inglewood High’s 6-10 center Cory Johnson, who signed with New Mexico State, and 6-3 guard Johnny Terrell, who committed to Colorado; Reseda Cleveland High’s 6-0 guard Adonis Jordan to Kansas, and 6-6 forward Warren Harrell to New Mexico State.

Also signing were 5-11 guard Dedan Thomas of Woodland Hills Taft with Nevada Las Vegas; 6-4 guard Brian Camper of Lakewood to Arizona State; 6-8 forward Danny Griffin of Crenshaw to Pittsburgh and 6-5 Brent Lofton of Woodland Hills El Camino Real to Utah State.