Looking Forward to Swift

All was not lost for the USC basketball team Saturday. At least not as far as the Trojans’ future is concerned.

The Trojans received an oral commitment from Bakersfield Garces Memorial High junior center Robert Swift on Saturday. The highly regarded recruit held a news conference at a downtown Los Angeles hotel to announce his decision.

The 7-foot, 245-pound post player plans on making it official by signing a letter of intent in November that will make him a Trojan for the 2004-05 season.

“I’ve been looking at USC for almost four years and I like the way Coach [Henry] Bibby coaches, their style of play,” said Swift, who is in town for a CIF Southern Section playoff game and said he is averaging 20 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks.

“I like the staff, the players, the campus and the way they run things -- inside and away from games. It gives me a chance to improve my skills.”