Dec. 4, 2003
The University of San Diego men's basketball program had three student-athletes commit during the early signing period to join the Torero basketball program for the 2004-2005 season, it was announced by Brian Fish, Associate Head Coach and Head Recruiting Coordinator. Joining USD next Fall will be guard Michael Kirkpatrick, forward Gyno Pomare and center Abdoulaye N'Diaye. "We identified two things before this recruiting period that we felt we needed," stated Associate Head Coach Brian Fish. "Number one was to find a point guard who could come in and be a factor immediately. Secondly, to sign some size that we could develop. And this class fits that to a tee."
Kirkpatrick, a 5-11, 185 lb. guard from Maniz, Germany, is currently playing at the College of Eastern Utah in Price. He transferred there from North Carolina A& T where as a freshman he averaged 7.7 points per game. Over the final ten games of the season he scored in double figures, including 27 points against South Carolina State and 16 against North Carolina. Prior to North Carolina A&T he played two seasons at Hampton Roads Academy in Hampton, Virginia.
"Michael is the hardest working individual and most dedicated athlete I have dealt with in my fourteen years of coaching," stated Fish.
Pomare, a 6-7 forward from nearby El Camino High School in Oceanside, is coming off a junior campaign that saw him earn First Team All-County honors. This season he is rated as the county's top prospect by some scouting services. He averaged 14.0 points per game last season as the Wildcats won the CIF-San Diego Section Division I title and came within a game of the Southern California Regional final. He scored in double figures in 23 of 33 games and during the postseason averaged 15.3 ppg. In the section title game he tallied seven blocked shots.
N'Diaye, a 6-10, 225 lb. center from Dakar, Senegal is playing this season at Southern Idaho. Last season he prepped at Louisville Moore High School in Louisville, Kentucky. As a senior he averaged 8.1 points per game, 9.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks while converting 51.5% of his shots. With the team finishing 16-11, he led his team in both rebounding and blocked shots. He was named Most Valuable Player and All-Tournament at the Playground Area Shootout in Palm Beach, Florida.
Added Coach Fish, "Both of these players bring great potential and a great attitude which will allow us to mold them into ideal bigs."
The above trio will join two other players currently redshirting this season - Floyd North, a 6-5 wing player that transferred from Oregon State, and 6-1 sophomore guard Ross DeRogatis, a transfer from Oklahoma State.
