The Los Angeles Times’ Ben Bolch reminds his readers that 6′8″, 215-pound freshman power forward Davon Jefferson, a high school star in his own right at Lynwood, will be a major asset for the Trojan hoops team, even though he hasn’t played a high school game in over two years. Tim Floyd envisions Jefferson defending power forwards, and Jefferson, who is “just happy to be here,” has displayed a very un-star-like attitude: “Wherever coach wants me to play, I’ll play.”

• At least two of USC’s games in Mexico have been moved to Culiacan, a two-hour drive from Mazatlan where they’ll be staying and where Hurricane Dean damaged the local gym.
• Guard Daniel Hackett was not selected to play for the Italian National Team in their FIBA tournament next week in Spain, so he will join the Trojans in Mexico. He still plans to tryout for the Italian team that competes for the 2008 Olympics if the Azzurri qualifies.

Jefferson is the ‘other’ star recruit (LA Times)