Trojans Add Point Guard

Dwayne Shackleford, a junior college basketball All-American from Allegany College of Maryland, has signed with USC, the school announced Wednesday.

Shackleford is a point guard, a position where the Trojans received inconsistent performances -- and poor three-point shooting -- from Derrick Craven and Rodrick Stewart last season.

Shackleford, 5 feet 10, 185 pounds, averaged 21.4 points and made a school-record 114 three-pointers last season in leading Allegany to a state championship.

“This is a good chance to do something big,” he said from Maryland. “It’s a ... situation to come in and play right away and turn this thing around, along with the teammates.”

USC has awarded 12 of the 13 scholarships it is allowed next season, though that includes one for Bakersfield High All-American center Robert Swift, who may opt to make himself eligible for the NBA draft. USC still hopes to sign Reseda Cleveland High forward Nick Young.

-- Paul Gutierrez