As expected, Compton’s Demar DeRozan and Beverly Hills High’s Percy “Lil’ Romeo” Miller signed letters of intent with USC at a Monday press conference held at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. The 6′6″ DeRozan can play the two or three and is ranked by many recruiting services as one of the top high school seniors in the nation (and perhaps the number one shooting guard overall). Point guard Miller, the 5′10″ son of rapper Master P (and himself a rapper and actor), has been gaining increasing attention in the basketball community and is now ranked among the top 15 point guards by at least one recruiting service, although USC is the only school to offer him a scholarship. DeRozan picked the Trojans ahead of North Carolina and Arizona, among others.

The two guards will be joined in USC’s 2008 incoming class by Mt. San Antonio College transfer Donte Smith, a 6′0″ point guard who also signed a letter of intent this week. Smith is one of the top-rated JC players in the nation, and will have three years of eligibility remaining once he joins the Trojans next fall. Oak Hill Academy shooting guard Malik Story (formerly of Artesia) has also verbally committed to the Trojans, but may not sign until the spring. USC’s recruiting class is currently ranked 24th in the nation by Scout.

USC Announces Its 2008 Men’s Basketball recruiting Class (Official USC site)
USC signs two local standouts (LA Times)
Rapper Lil’ Romeo signs to play for USC (AP via MSNBC)
Romeo, Demar Derozan Sign With USC Basketball Team (AllHipHop.com)
USC Hoops Signs (Hollywood) Star (All Things Trojan)

And here are some DeRozan highlights for your viewing enjoyment: