Southern Cal Duo Show Skills

Gabe Pruitt and Robert Swift gave California Team Select a lethal inside/outside combination last weekend at the Five-Star Hoop Classic in Boston. Both players, who have already committed to Southern California, were key in the title game against the Playaz Gold program out of New Jersey.

Swift, a 6-foot-11 center from Highland H.S. in Bakers, scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to lead CTS to the win.

"Robert was like that at the Kingwood Classic in Houston," CTS program director Thaddeus McGrew said. "He stepped it up as the tournament went on. Once he develops consistency, he will undoubtedly be one of the top big men in the country."

RivalsHoops.com has had the chance to watch Swift play since he was a sophomore. This past season at Garces H.S., he averaged 22 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks per game. He transferred to Highland H.S. following the end of the basketball season.

Swift runs the floor well and has a long, agile frame. Like many young big men, he is still looking to add strength and bulk to his frame. He now weighs around 245 pounds.

When Swift catches the ball in the paint around the basket, he can be nearly impossible to stop. Too often, he catches the ball outside of the key and relies on finesse type moves, which he can make. But if he catches the ball in scoring position around the basket, it can be lights out for whoever is in his way.

Swift told RivalsHoops.com that he also considered Kansas and San Diego State before opting to commit to USC.

"I like the school and there wasn't much that other colleges out there could do to change my mind," he said.

Swift said he has a 2.1 GPA and scored a 950 on the PSAT. His busy summer ahead includes pit stops at the NBA Players Association Camp in Richmond and the Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis.

As for Pruitt, he scored 14 points in the final and may have registered the dunk of the spring when elevated in the second quarter and dunked over the Playaz Cedric Jackson.

The baby-faced 6-foot-3, 170-pound Pruitt is a terrific shooter off the dribble who elevates effortlessly. Pruitt projects as a point guard at the major college level, but his ability to create his own shot and keep his body under control set him apart from many of his counterparts in the Class of 2004.

Prior to picking USC, Pruitt considered Kansas, Texas, Arizona, Oregon and UCLA. He averaged 15 points, six assists and four steals per game as a sophomore at Compton (CA) Centennial H.S. He sat out this past season at Westchester H.S. in Los Angeles due to California State high school rules regarding transfers.

Pruitt took an unofficial visit to USC on Monday, May 5, and that clinched his decision.

"It's right in my backyard, so my parents will get a chance to see me play," he said. "It's a good academic school and my parents have been to all of my games throughout high school."

Pruitt has a very busy summer schedule ahead. He will attend the Bob Gibbons Tournament this weekend with the Belmont Shore program, and next month will be at the NBA Players Association Camp in Virginia.

During the July evaluation period, Pruitt will attend the Nike All-American Camp, the Nike Peach Jam with CTS and the adidas Big Time Tournament with Belmont Shore.

RivalsHoops.com plans to see both Swift and Pruitt in action several more times this summer, so keep it here for the latest information on both players.