Augustine’s Departure Creates Opening

All sorts of possibilities have presented themselves to the USC basketball team since backup point guard Kevin Augustine’s departure.

The Trojans figured they were done for the recruiting year when 7-foot-3 center Luke Minor of Blue Ridge School in St. George, Va., and 6-3 guard Nate Hair of Capistrano Valley High signed letters of intent last month. But when Augustine asked to be released from his scholarship this week, coaches found themselves back on the recruiting trail.

“You hate to lose someone from your program, but it opens up another opportunity for us to get something that we’re lacking,” Coach Henry Bibby said.

USC is left with freshman Brandon Granville and junior college transfer Quincy Wilder at point guard. Bibby likes their play so far and will also try 6-8 forward Jarvis Turner as a ballhandler.

“My assistant coaches think I’m crazy, but I envision him as a Rodrick Rhodes kind of guy,” Bibby said, referring to the former Trojan guard who was All-Pacific 10 Conference honorable mention in 1997. “Jarvis is very knowledgeable about the game. He’s big. He can see over guys.”

So the Trojans won’t necessarily look to fill their open slot with a guard.

“If it’s a big guy or a [forward] or a [guard], it doesn’t matter,” Bibby said. “We’re looking for the best guy available.”