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3t> This Week in USC Sports History S 1993 - Head basketball coach Eddie Fogler signed his first recruiting class at Carolina. Among the seven signees were Malik Russell and George Formanek. "IChe ©amecock Page 9 In the cards MLB draft snares six Gamecocks, three USC signees by David Cloninoer The Gamecock Two days after having its dreams of a berth in the College World Series ended by Stanford, the South Carolina baseball team experienced another loss in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Six current Gamecocks and three USC signees were selected in the draft, with Marcus McBeth, Kip Bouknight, Bryon Jeffcoat, Brett Price and signees Gavin Floyd and Charles Lisk taken June 5 and Michael Floyd, Tun Whittaker and signee Matthew Campbell taken June 6. Signee Gavin Floyd was the first Gamecock to be chosen, taken by Philadelphia in the first round. Floyd was the fourth overall pick, as well as the first high-school pitcher chosen. Floyd is the younger brother of current Gamecock Michael Floyd, who was also chosen by Philadelphia in the 22nd round. Though the younger Floyd is expected to forego USC and turn professional, both brothers are currently planning to play for the Gamecocks next spring. mis pians ana my plans are to come to south Carolina,” Michael said. “Right now, we can’t say what we’re definitely going to do.” Michael led the Gamecocks in hitting this season with a .350 average, highlighted by a 23 game hitting streak. The transfer from Virginia worked his way into the starting lineup this season and became an integral part of the Carolina offense. Gavin, meanwhile, is regarded as the second best high school pitching prospect in the nation this year. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound righthander has a fastball that tops out around 97 miles per hour, and is also an accurate hitter, batting .383 with 42 RBIs in his junior season. Gavin is committed to USC and is in the same situation shortstop Drew Meyer faced two years ago. Meyer was drafted by the Dodgers and offered a contract, but turned it down to play for USC. Gavin now has until Aug. 23 to decide. If he reports to class, he will be a Gamecock for the next three years. Michael must make a similar decision, but would only have to give up his senior year of college. Draft seepage 10 Athletics Pictures by Sean Rayford, graphics by David Cloninger/The Gamecock NBDL could save NBA *■ from youth movement Rick Johnston The Rick Says You’ll have to pardon me, as I didn’t rearrange my whole life for the past week to watch that wonderful bit of programming that was Games 1-3 of the NBA finals. The prospect of watching Shaq and Kobe finally get over their lover’s spat in time to steamroll the Sixers in the finals just didn’t do it for me. So, as I wonder about the future of the NBA, I look to the upcoming draft. Oh boy, another bunch of underclassmen and high schoolers looking to make a lot of money. Such has been the vii/ture circling the NBA the past few seasons. While a lot of these young players have talent, it’s raw at best. The lack of refinement in their games, coupled with lack of maturity (and the idea of “me over team” that comes with it), makes for some bad basketball. Given the fact the NBA has seen its attendance dwindle and ratings fall, they have finally wised up and established the NBDL, or National Basketball Development League. Finally, the NBA will have a place to allow these kids to grow up, such as the minor league systems have in baseball and hockey. Think about it — how many times do you see an 18 year old tearing up Major League Baseball? With the notable recent exceptions of Atlanta’s Andruw Jones and Rafael Furcal, you haven’t. Even these two logged time in the farm Johnston see page 11