Oct. 23, 2007

South Carolina’s sophomore point guard Devan Downey, who sat out last season after transferring from Cincinnati, has been named the Top Impact Transfer in the country this season by Rivals.Com.

Said Rivals of Downey: “He has excellent handle and superior quickness which allows him to penetrate into the lane and create opportunities for himself and his teammates. He and Zam Fredrick II (who transferred from Georgia Tech as well) will form an all-transfer backcourt.”

Downey was named to the Big East Conference All-Rookie team two years when he averaged 12.3 ppg and led the Bearcats with 4.1 apg and 2.0 spg.

“I’m really pleased the decision I made to come home to South Carolina,” said Downey, a native of Chester, S.C. “We have all been working very hard in practice and are looking forward to the season beginning. It was hard to sit out last season and I can’t wait for November 5th to get here when we play our exhibition vs. Guilford.”

“Devan has quickly established himself as one of the real leaders of this year’s team,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “He has a genuine passion for competing and for winning, qualities that will surely be contagious and will help our team reach it’s potential.”

South Carolina also features two other transfers this season in Fredrick (sat out last year after transferring from Georgia Tech) and Branden Conrad (sat out last year after transferring from Navy).