Jan. 7, 2005

Columbia, SC – USC Head Basketball Coach Dave Odom announced the signing of three players today, including Josey High School’s Dominique Archie, Gulf Coast Junior College’s Allasane Savadogo and a junior college player from Fullerton College (Calif.), Bryce Sheldon.

Gamecocks’ Early Signing Roster (Nov., 2004) (See bios below):

Archie is a senior from T.W. Josey High School in Augusta, S.C. He averaged 18,5 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 apg and 5.5 bpg at T.W. Josey HS as a junior. He was a Nike All-American, All-CSRA and was the MVP of the Comcast Summer League. His team voted him the Most Improved Player two years straight.

Savadogo is a sophomore at Gulf Coast Community College (Panama City, Fla.). Savadogo, a native of Burkina Faso, Africa, averaged 8 ppg, 1 bpg and 8 rpg last season at Gulf Coast. He chose USC over Auburn, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.

Sheldon, a 2002 graduate of Loara High School in Anaheim, Calif., is at Fullerton College where he averaged 14 ppg, 3 apg and 3 rpg his freshman year. Sheldon is a pre-season All-Orange Empire Conference team selection. At Loara, he averaged 23.5 ppg, 5 rpg and 4 apg his senior year and then 14 ppg, 3 rpg and 3 apg his junior year. His junior year his team won their league. Sheldon chose USC over Fresno State and Purdue.

Fullerton College was 18-15 last year, losing in the playoffs to LA Southwest in the Southern Regional Playoffs. Ranked No. 15, they are currently 9-6 and 1-0 in conference..

2004 Gamecock Men’s Basketball Signees
(Early Signing Period)

DOMINIQUE ARCHIE
F, 6-6, AUGUSTA, GA (T.W. JOSEY HS)
He averaged 18,5 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 apg and 5.5 bpg at TW Josey HS as a junior. He was a Nike All-American, All-CSRA and was the MVP of the Comcast Summer League. His team voted him the Most Improved Player two years straight … Nickname is Nique … Mother is Susan Archie … Will major in Civil Engineering at USC.

WHY HE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA:
“The reason I chose the University of South Carolina was because of Coach Odom, the coaching staff and the players. On my visit the coaches impressed my mother and me by informing me that hey have a great program and an outstanding academic program as well. Not only did they have to impress me, but also they had to impress my mother and that is no easy task. She played a big role in my decision. Coach Odom really made me feel like he wanted me. He also made my mother feel he was sincere about his plans for me on and off the basketball court. I also wanted a school that was close to Augusta so it would be less travel time for my mother.”

ALLASANE SAVADOGO (has two years of eligibility at USC)
F, 6′ 9, 250, BURKINA FASO, AFRICA (Gulf Coast Junior College)
Is a sophomore at Gulf Coast Junior College (Panama City, Fla.) … Averaged 8 ppg, 8 rpg and 1 bpg last year at Gulf Coast … Is coached by Jim Hatfield at Gulf Coast … Chose USC over Auburn, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.

BRYCE SHELDON (has two years of eligibility at USC)
G, 6-5, 210, ANAHEIM, CA (Loara HS/Fullerton College)
Attended and played last season Fullerton College, where he averaged 14 ppg, 3 apg and 3 rpg as a freshman … Voted Newcomer of the Year and is selected pre-season All-OEC … Coached by Dieter Horton at Fullerton … Will be joined by teammate Ranard Robinson at USC … Sheldon, voted to the 2004-05 Preseason All-Orange Empire Conference Team, averaged 14.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a freshman … He led the OEC in free throw shooting (.902), and ranked among the leaders in 3-point percentage (.337) and assists (2.3) … Sheldon played in all 31 games, as the Hornets went 17-14 overall before losing in the Southern Regional Playoffs to LA Southwest … He posted 24 games in double figures, including the final 14 games of the campaign … Sheldon registered five games of 20-plus points, with a career-high 30 coming against Riverside (2/18/04) … Attended Loara HS in Anaheim, Calif., averaging 23.5 ppg, 5 rpg and 4 apg his senior year and 14 ppg, 3 rpg and 3 apg his junior year … Coached by Ed Prange … Was twice an All-League selection, played in the Orange County All-Star game and was third in the county in scoring his senior year … His team won the league his junior year … Will major in Business at USC.

WHY HE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA:
“I chose USC for many reasons. The coaching staff is amazing and knows how to win. The guys on the team treated me and welcomed me with open arms. I loved the city of Columbia, the fans, the Arena and everything about USC. Since I was a kid I have always dreamed of playing in the SEC and now my dream has come true. I couldn’t pass that opportunity up.”