UCLA’s Harrick Again Lands Two of the Best : College basketball: Top prospects Jelani McCoy and Brandon Loyd sign letters of intent with the Bruins.

Jim Harrick, who nearly lost his job two years ago for failing to recruit many big-name basketball players, appears to have reversed that trend for the second consecutive year.

Harrick took advantage of the NCAA’s one-week early-signing period Wednesday as UCLA received letters of intent from highly regarded Jelani McCoy of St. Augustine in San Diego and Brandon Loyd of Tulsa (Okla.) Memorial.

The Bruins have two remaining scholarships to offer during the spring signing period in April. They hope to sign either Paul Pierce of Inglewood or Tommy Prince of Compton Dominguez, perhaps both.

UCLA’s 1994 freshman class is considered one of the best in the nation, led by 6-foot-10 center omm’A Givens and 6-9 forward J.R. Henderson.

McCoy is regarded as one of the country’s top prospects. The 6-10 center/forward is described as an instinctive shot blocker who averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds per game as a junior. Loyd is a 6-1 guard.

At USC, meanwhile, George Raveling’s recent car accident appears to have hindered his earlier recruiting efforts. The Trojans’ only signing Wednesday was 6-2 guard Damion Dawson of Long Beach Poly.

Pierce and Prince, considered the state’s top two prospects, also are considering USC.

The USC women’s basketball team fared much better. Coach Cheryl Miller’s first recruiting season saw 6-2 guard Jody Parriott of Cerritos Valley Christian and 6-3 center Jenny Circle of Menlo Park Sacred Heart Prep sign letters of intent.

Other notable signings Wednesday included 6-0 guard Doug Gottlieb of Tustin to Notre Dame; 6-6 forward Donte Quinine of Rowland to Utah, and 5-10 guard Duane Davis of Fairfax to Arizona State.

Stanford signed two of the Southland’s top prospects in 6-0 guard Arthur Lee of North Hollywood and 6-9 forward Mark Seaton of Anaheim Servite.