April 15, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn announced on Wednesday that two players have signed National Letters of Intent to attend South Carolina next fall and join the Gamecocks squad for the 2009-10 season. Johndre Jefferson (F – 6-9 – 205 – Santee, S.C./ Northwest Florida State College (Okaloosa-Walton)) and Stephen Spinella (G – 6-5 – 190 – Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Apex Academy) will don the Garnet and Black next season. Jefferson will have two years of eligibility remaining, while Spinella will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2009-10 campaign.

Johndre Jefferson (F – 6-9 – 205 – Santee, S.C./ Northwest Florida State College (Okaloosa-Walton))
Three-year letterwinner for head coach Roy Brown at Lake Marion High School… Named the male athlete of the year during prep career… Also garnered all-region and all-state accolades… Averaged 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game during senior season… Averaged 9.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game during 2008-09 campaign at Northwest Florida State College… Top effort of the 2008-09 season came in 16-point, 12-rebound, eight-block performance against Cape Fear Academy… Chose South Carolina over the likes of Missouri, UAB and Auburn … Plans to major in business management at South Carolina.

Horn on Jefferson
“Johndre was a consistent producer in one of the best junior college leagues in the country. His length and athleticism give us another shot blocker and big man that can run the floor. He has played for one of the most respected junior college coaches in the country and will bring much needed experience and height to our interior.”

Stephen Spinella (G – 6-5 – 190 – Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Apex Academy)
Played for head coach Lou Picola at Colts Neck High School… Averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists during senior season to lead conference in scoring… Finished prep career with 978 points, while averaging 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game… Named team MVP during prep career… Played AAU basketball for Shore Shots and head coach Joe Stein… Spent 2008-09 school year at Apex Academy Prep School in New Jersey… Averaged 32.0 points per game and had a single-game high of 51 points during season at Apex Academy… Chose South Carolina over the likes of Penn State, Seton Hall and Arizona State… Plans to major in business at South Carolina.

Horn on Spinella
“Stephen gives us size and length on the perimeter and adds another excellent shooter to our program. We are excited about the toughness that he brings and that his best basketball is ahead of him.”

Jefferson and Spinella join Gamecock signees Ramon Galloway (G – 6-2 – 175 – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./William T. Dwyer) and Lakeem Jackson (SF – 6-5 – 215 – Charlotte, N.C./Christ School), who signed during the fall signing period, to complete Horn’s first class at South Carolina.