April 16, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On Wednesday afternoon, UCF head coach Kirk Speraw met with members of the local media to discuss UCF's recruiting class. Yesterday morning, Nik Garcia and Marcus Jordan of Chicago both signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Knights.
One of the key points that Speraw made was that UCF was adding winners to the program. The veteran coach noted that three of the four recruits who have signed NLIs with the Knights led their respective teams to state high school championships this past year.
Jordan guided Whitney Young to the Illinois Class 4A state title. In seven contests in the state playoffs, he averaged 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. After totaling 19 points and five boards in the championship game win over Waukegan, he earned tournament MVP honors.
Both players who committed to the Knights during the fall - R.J. Scott (Slidell, La./Salmen) and Keith Clanton (Orlando, Fla./Orlando Christian Prep) - won state titles.
Scott averaged 17.3 points in leading Salmen to the Louisiana Class 4A state title. His squad went 33-2 and the guard was selected to the all-state first team.
The Florida Class 1A Player of the Year, Clanton averaged 18.2 points and 12.5 rebounds as Orlando Christian Prep went 30-2 and won the state crown for the second-consecutive year. He finished with 16 points and 14 boards in the title game win over Grandview Prep.
"They all led their teams to state championships as seniors," Speraw said. "These young men know how to win. They will bring that winning mentality with them to UCF." For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Notes: Speraw appeared on The Beat of Sports with Mike Bianchi and Marc Daniels on ESPN 1080 in Orlando on Thursday morning to speak about the recruiting class... After excelling at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament last week, senior guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla.) is back in Orlando. While concluding his studies, he is working out with UCF strength and conditioning coach B.J. Faulk several times per week and is also spending ample time on the program's practice court.