Atlanta Jag

11/12/03– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTH ALABAMA SIGNS TWO IN MEN'S HOOPS EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
JAGUARS ANNOUNCE ADDITIONS TO BACKCOURT AND FRONTCOURT
CONTACT: Matt Smith


MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama men's basketball coach John Pelphrey landed two top-notch high school prospects during the opening day of early signing period Wednesday.

Local player Antonio Odoms, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard from Monroe County High School in Monroeville and 6-9, 200-pound forward/center Daniel Northern of Houston County High in Warner Robbins, Ga., signed letters-of-intent to attend USA.

Odoms, a three-year letterman and a two-year starter at Monroe County, averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists in leading MCHS to a 22-11 record as a junior last season. The all-area and all-county selection chose the Jaguars over UAB.

Second-year Jag coach John Pelphrey calls Odoms 'a very versatile athlete."
"Antonio Odoms is a fierce competitor," Pelphrey said. "He can play all three guard spots. We're very excited to sign Tony, especially since he's a local guy who lives only an hour away."

Monroe County coach Willie White says South Alabama is getting an outstanding player.
"He's right up there with some of the best that's played here," said White. "He's a leader, a hard-worker and a go-getter. He'll be a good fit at South Alabama."

White says Odoms is likely to play all positions his final season due to his versatility, but says the wing is his true position.

"He's a shooter who can run the fast-break," White said. "He drives to the basket well and has great range."

Northern is one of the top-five players in middle Georgia. Last season, Northern earned all-state honorable mention honors in class 5A, the highest level in Georgia. He selected the Jags over South Carolina, South Florida and Mercer. He averaged 18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game as a junior. In one contest, he established a school record with 21 blocked shots. Northern also posted 42 points in a prestigious Georgia tournament contest.

Houston (pronounced How-ston) County coach Greg Nix says USA is getting a tremendous player.

"His athletic ability is incredible," Nix said. "He really jumps well. He's a great defender around the basket. He's real agile and runs the floor well."

Pelphrey feels Northern is a player who can take his team to a much higher level.

"He's long, athletic and a guy who we feel very fortunate to get." said Pelphrey. "He has a chance to be a great player for us. He's the type of student-athlete we want to bring to South Alabama. If Daniel Northern continues to play as hard as he has, he's capable of playing at a lot of different levels. He's a guy who can take our team to another level from a shot-blocking, defense and rebounding standpoint."

Pelphrey is excited what lies in store for the future of South Alabama basketball.

"Antonio (Odoms) and Daniel (Northern) are perfect for our program," he said. "Their athleticism and speed are going to be good for our style of play.

f6man

I'm excited about these recruits. Seems like Coach Pelphrey is showing his talent at recruiting. As for this year, I look for the Jags to surprise a LOT of people but I think we'll be ready to make a legitimate run at the SBC championship within 2 years.