Crump intrigued by hoops future at USF

While this week could bring a decision from power forward prospect Keith Clanton, the Bulls have also put themselves in position to sign one of the top small forwards in the class of 2009 after an official campus visit over the weekend by Givon Crump.

The 6-foot-6 scorer from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire said the Bulls are now among the leaders for his commitment. Crump has also visited Oregon State and Baylor, and continues to talk with the staffs at Rutgers and George Washington, although he has not set trips to those schools.

"They're definitely high on my list," Crump said of USF. "I have to take into consideration all they have to offer – the chance to play in the Big East, at an up-and-coming program where you can make a name and get things on track. All of that is very attractive."

The Bulls identified Crump as a prospect over the summer and have been courting him since July. Rivals.com ranks him No. 142 in the class of 2009, and No. 30 among the nation's top senior small forwards.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Crump was reunited with one familiar face on his trip to Tampa. Crump said he once shared the same trainer as USF's Gus Gilchrist.

"The visit went very well. We had a great time. There's some really good chemistry on the team. They showed me a good time," Crump said. "I was surprised by the size of the school. I didn't know it was that big."

Crump has been described as a versatile three man who is capable of playing three positions and has range out beyond the three-point arc. He was one of Brewster's top three-point threats as a junior, when he was the top sixth man on a team packed with Division I talent.

"Coach (Stan) Heath thinks I could be a main contributor and be very successful at USF. He's doing a great job getting it rolling there," Crump said. "Playing in the Big East is definitely a draw because it's one of the toughest, if not the toughest, conferences in the country. It would be a great opportunity to be an underdog and prove everybody wrong – to make something out of nothing."

Crump, whose older brother Gino is a walk-on wide receiver at West Virginia, said he will make a decision and sign during the early period in November.