TrojanWire - Renardo Sidney

Polee-s Hang On!

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:30:18 -0800

When Tim Floyd stepped down as the head coach of the USC men's basketball team amid another pay-to-player scandal, he didn't just leave a vacant position, he left a black hole. Hackett and DeRozan were always expected to go. Taj Gibson was already flirting on the edge of the precipice, and it sucked him right in. Marcus Johnson, who petitioned for a fifth year of eligibility, tried his best to leave but wasn't picked up in the draft. Now it's unclear whether he'll play next year.

First the players, then the recruits. A projected top-five class took a nose dive out of the top-25 with the rest of the division sopping up the fallout from the Trojan Chernobyl. Lamont Jones, Derrick Williams and Solomon Hill jumped ship, only to be plucked from the frigid water by Arizona. Renardo Sidney and USC had a mutual(?) parting of ways, after the scandal-wary Trojans smelled some fishy connections. Evan Smith, 6-6, a small forward from Oaks Christian, is the last holdout from the class. Smith lacks star power but should be a solid contributor...that is, if he holds out for good.

But there's a bright star on the horizon. Remember 2010 recruit Dwayne Polee Jr.? The 6-7 forward who committed to USC before he had ever played a high school game? Word on the street was that Polee was wavering on his commitment, getting sucked into the dark-matter at the center of the post-Floyd universe. Well good news. LA Times reported today that the Westchester forward and his mother met with new USC Coach Kevin O'Neill, and he still remains committed to the Trojans. So there's hope for the future. At least until the results come back from the NCAA investigations...

Follow the Jump to see the Polee highlight video from '08-09. Kid has got some hops.

Renardo Sidney signs with Mississippi State

Fri, 01 May 2009 10:04:27 -0800

The 6-foot-10 standout from Fairfax originally had been sought after by UCLA and USC.

Renardo Sidney, the 6-foot-10 McDonald's basketball All-American from Fairfax High, has signed a letter of intent at Mississippi State, Bulldogs Coach Rick Stansbury announced today.

Sidney Situation

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:36:36 -0800

Daily News columnist Ramona Shelburne weighs in the Renardo Sidney situation and whether it's tied to the NCAA's investigations of Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo.

Renardo Sidney won't play basketball at USC

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:41:46 -0800

Sources say the Fairfax High standout will not follow through on verbal commitment.

Renardo Sidney, the basketball All-American from L.A. Fairfax High who had orally committed his intent to accept a scholarship offer from USC, will not play for the Trojans.

Renardo Sidney shaky on his commitment?

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:46:56 -0800

It would appear that the commitment of Renardo Sidney to USC is now in doubt. There was rumor, since confirmed, that Sidney and his family were at Miss. St. this past weekend.

The 6-foot-10 Sidney committed to the Trojans earlier this year and was positioned to sign a letter of intent as news came last week from a family spokesman that the player had posted a "passing" SAT score that still requires passing grades in 16 core classes for NCAA approval.

The Sidney family and Mississippi State officials failed to immediately return messages left by The Times.

If Sidney did pass his SAT so why not sign his letter of intent?

I have read elsewhere that this has a lot to do with Mike Garrett. It would appear that Garrett might be a little gun shy about some of Sidney's alleged "baggage" part of which is wheather or not Sidney would even qualify. I don't know and I really don't care. if the kid doesn't want to be here then that's fine but lets not waste another minute dwelling on it.

If the rumors are true that Garrett has some concenrs my only question would then be...what took so long. If there are "issues" then any due diligence would have flushed them out long before an offer was made and SC could have focused on other players. This same sort of head in the sand approach is how we ended up with the Mayo mess. Before anyone wants to throw out the NCAA "clearing" Mayo I would ask this question... If its that important why would you rely on the word of another? FInd out the facts for yourself.

That USC reportedly had to have an attorney present when Garrett met with Sidney's family screams volumes to me.

Whatever happens, happens. I really don't have an opinion either way but I do think that if Garrett is the one behind this he is way late coming to the table in deciding how to handle these issues. This should have been addressed a long time ago and it would appear that his indecision cost us Solomon Hill as well.

one step forward thre steps back...

Lamont "MoMo" Jones Moves Up the Ranking in Final Rivals 150

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:23:05 -0800

From Rivals.com:

Seven prospects jumped into the final Rivals150. Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy point guard Lamont Jones has the highest-ranked debut, at No. 68. Jones transformed from an undersized shooting guard into a powerful point guard as a senior.

Lamont is expected to make his college decision soon with many believing SC is the favorite.

Also on the list: Renardo Sidney @ #16 and Noel Johnson @ #53.

USC 2009 Commit Renardo Sidney Playing in McDonald's All-American Game This Wednesday

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:11:52 -0800

Set the TIVO to record ESPN tomorrow (Wednesday April 1st) at 5pm PST. The 6'10" finesse PF from Fairfax is one of twenty high school seniors playing in the 2009 McDonald's All-American Game.

Check out Renardo Sidney's ESPN page where he is called "overall... arguably the most talented prospect in the nation" and watch the ball skills in the last highlight of his video.