USD MEN'S BASKETBALL: Fab Frosh

Holland's recruits have come through for new coach Grier

By Tom Shanahan - For the North County Times | Thursday, March 20, 2008 4:01 PM PDT ∞

University San Diego's frehsman Rob Jones shoots as St. Mary's Diamon Simpson tries to block during the first half. Photo Hayne Palmour IV

SAN DIEGO ---- Shortly after the University of San Diego beat Loyola Marymount to record the victory that gave the men's basketball program its most West Coast Conference wins in 21 seasons, first-year coach Bill Grier deflected some praise he heard for the 11-3 mark.

"Brad Holland put this team together," said Grier, referring to the USD's former coach that was let go after the 2006-07 season. "I'm just fortunate that I get to coach this group."

The quote went largely ignored in the LMU postgame interview, but it says much about Grier. One mark of a true leader is once he achieves success, he isn't looking to be sure he receives proper praise or credit.

After claiming an NCAA automatic bid by winning the WCC tournament, Grier's Toreros (21-13), seeded 13th, open NCAA subregional play on Friday against fourth-seeded Connecticut (24-8) at approximately 11:45 a.m. in Tampa, Fla.

Grier did inherit All-WCC picks Brandon Johnson and Gyno Pomare and the underrated De'Jon Jackson, but he quickly brought along three freshmen that averaged double figures in minutes played.

"Rob (Jones) and Trumaine (Johnson) matured and grew as the season progressed," said Grier, "and Devin (Ginty) is one of those guys who makes his teammates better in practice. He makes you work so hard against him."

Jones, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward, was an early commitment under Holland out of San Francisco Riordan. He started 30 of the team's 34 games, finishing third in scoring at 8.8 points and second in rebounding at 5.8.

"Rob Jones was maybe the best high school recruit Coach Holland signed here," said Grier, who was an assistant coach at Gonzaga before landing the USD job. "I had watched Rob quite a bit during summer (recruiting) tournaments, but when (Gonzaga) got an early commit out of Austin Daye, we weren't recruiting that position anymore. One of the first things I did when I got here was to meet with Rob and his family to make sure they were still on board. His parents were terrific with me and have been very supportive."

Johnson, a 6-3, 180-pound point guard from Houston Kingwood, might have been one of the most overlooked recruits in the country considering his lack of offers before USD found him and his production as a freshman.

After Johnson earned Grier's trust to run the offense, he saw more playing time during WCC games. He started 10 of 14 conference games, averaging 7.6 points and 2.6 assists in league play and hitting 10 of 24 3-point field goals (41.7 percent).

Grier wasn't hired until March 26, so it was late in the recruiting game in a sport that has an early signing period in November.

"Walter (Rose, assistant coach) knew about him, and I felt one of our biggest needs was a point guard that could help take the pressure of Brandon," Grier said. "For us to get involved that late and get that kind of production from him was great."

Ginty (6-2, 180) is walk-on from Alta that Grier had assistant Kyle Bankhead check out after Ginty flooded Grier's mailbox with e-mails.

He averaged only 12.7 minutes and 2.6 points, but he is forever in USD lore for hitting 4-of-4 3-pointers and scoring 18 points in USD's upset at Kentucky.

He also hit a crucial 3-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer in the Toreros' upset of 20th-ranked Gonzaga in the WCC final.

"Kyle said he was worthy of walking on," Grier said. "He's got all the intangibles and he's skilled. His athleticism is a challenge at this level, but to his credit he hasn't let it be a problem."

One top recruit, one overlooked recruit and one walk-on who insisted he could play Division I basketball. Grier mixed them in with three talented returning starters and landed his first USD team in the NCAA tournament.