USC May Feature a Nice Twin Bill

If all goes according to USC’s plan, the Trojans will be able to throw two sets of twins at opponents on the basketball court in the near future.

Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart, national top-50 recruits who will be seniors this season at Seattle’s Rainier Beach High, have committed to USC. If the 6-foot-4, 180-pound twins follow through, they will join Derrick and Errick Craven, who will be juniors then, for the 2003-04 season.

The Stewarts have not signed letters of intent--the early signing period begins in November--but their father, Bull Stewart, said his sons liked the idea of helping Coach Henry Bibby build a basketball tradition at football-conscious USC.

“My boys are very unique,” Stewart said Monday. “They wanted to go to a program that wasn’t at the bottom, wasn’t struggling, but needed some attention.

“When I talked to Bibby, I could see that he was a class guy, a great coach. He never pressured us at all. They run some pro sets and play run-and-gun and that’s what the boys like to play.”

The Stewart twins also were recruited hard by Washington and their father told the Seattle Times on Saturday that they were set to become Huskies under new Coach Lorenzo Romar, a former UCLA assistant. They made their about-face in a live televised announcement late Sunday night, after it was reported that Washington was rescinding scholarship offers to both players. The Stewarts had maintained that they were a package deal.

Bull Stewart said his sons’ word would be their bond.

“The boys made a commitment [to USC] and it’s a done deal,” he said. “Other coaches can see them and maybe say hello but that’s it. They have to focus on their academics and their senior season of high school ball.”

Last season, Lodrick, a shooting guard and small forward, averaged 17.9 points and Rodrick, a point guard and shooting guard, averaged 19.5 points as they led Rainer Beach to the Class 3A state title.

Fordham transfer Jeff McMillan, a 6-8, 250-pound power forward, began classes at USC Monday. He will sit out this season and be eligible for 2003-04.