TROJANS SIGN THREE RECRUITS.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF Staff Writer

USC signed three basketball players to national letters-of-intent during the early signing period and it's possible the Trojans could make a bigger splash today.

The Trojans signed 6-foot-8 forward Davon Jefferson of Lynwood, who sat last season after failing to graduate and took online courses to obtain his degree. Jefferson posted a qualifying test score Tuesday night.

``He was generally regarded as one of the top 10 players in the nation his senior year,'' USC coach Tim Floyd said. ``He can play out on the perimeter. He can post up, which gives us something we desperately needed the last two years.''

USC also signed 6-6 forward Leonard Washington of Lake Charles, La., and 6-4 guard Marcus Simmons of Alexandria, La.

``(Washington) gives us some we don't have, he's a terrific low-post scorer,'' Floyd said. ``Our belief is he is the No. 1 player in Louisiana.''

Washington was also recruited by LSU and Oklahoma State. Simmons impressed Floyd in the summer with his attitude.

Today is the last day of the early signing period, and there is a chance the Trojans could sign guard O.J. Mayo, the No.1-ranked recruit in the nation. Of course, nothing is definite, because Mayo already delayed two other chances to commit to USC in the summer.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Nov. 16: South Carolina is the opponent for USC's first official game in the Galen Center, the long-awaited arena expected to launch the program into the basketball elite.

Dec. 4: Reunion of twin brothers Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart as the Trojans travel to preseason No. 3 Kansas.

Rodrick started his career at USC.

Jan. 13: The first time rival UCLA gets to see the Trojans' hot new digs. Pauley Pavilion never seemed so out of date.

SEASON'S A SUCCESS IF ...

USC makes a postseason game. It doesn't have to be the NCAA Tournament. NIT is fine. For that to happen, Gabe Pruitt needs to return for the spring semester, Daniel Hackett or Kevin Galloway must do as well as freshmen as Ryan Francis did last year, and Abdoulaye N'diaye and RouSean Cromwell have to bounce back from offseason knee surgeries to show improvement over last season.

SEASON'S A FLOP IF ...

Pruitt doesn't get his academics in order, forcing him to miss the entire season and leaving USC depending too much on freshmen. ... An offseason spent more in hospitals than practice courts limits the effectiveness of the big men. ... The Trojans' play doesn't live up to their fancy new arena, slowing the program's momentum.

INTRODUCING ...

Hearing of USC's problems at point guard with the death of Francis and ineligibility of Pruitt, Hackett, an oral commitment for the class of 2007, brought up the possibility of graduating high school early and helping the team right away.

Floyd was incredulous at first.

``I said, `No, you still got another year of school left,' '' Floyd said. ``I wasn't even sure it was legal.''

Hackett went off to research his idea and found it was possible. He could graduate from St. John Bosco of Downey by taking three courses over the summer.

So, instead of doing the summer circuit of basketball camps with other recruits, Hackett hit the classroom and gained admission to USC. He is the favorite to start at point guard in the season opener.

``I talked to (Arizona coach) Lute (Olson) about him, and he sees a lot of Miles Simon in him,'' Floyd said of the MVP of the 1997 NCAA Tournament for Arizona. ``He's got a chance to be an outstanding player.''

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

BACKCOURT

What was supposed to be the team's strength is now a question mark with a freshman likely starting at point guard and Pruitt out at least 10 games. Lodrick Stewart, who played small forward last season, could be moved to shooting guard in Pruitt's absence, or the Trojans may turn to freshman Lewis. Sead Odzic will be expected to add 3-point shooting off the bench.

FRONTCOURT

Forward Nick Young has the potential to be the first Trojan to average 20 points since Harold Miner in 1992. Cromwell, if his knee holds up, or freshman Taj Gibson could start next to Young if Floyd wants to go big, or Stewart if he wants to go small.

N'diaye provides a solid defensive presence in the post. Though skinny, his length allows him to defend heavier centers. His long arms help him block shots, and he is a solid rebounder. He needs to improve his hands and touch around the basket on the offensive end, as well as develop some moves in the paint.

FIVE FACTS

1. Like Kobe Bryant, Hackett spent much of his childhood in Italy, where his father, USC strength and conditioning coach Rudy Hackett, played professionally. He speaks Italian fluently.

2. Kasey Cunningham's father Paul was recruited to play basketball at UTEP in 1981 by USC coach Tim Floyd, who was an assistant coach under Don Haskins.

3. Assistant coach Gib Arnold and his wife Lisa have five children, whose names all start with the letter ``A'': Analise (10years old), Ashton (8), Ally (6), Addison (4) and Ace (1).

4. N'diaye, who was born in Dakar, Senegal, speaks six languages -- English, French, Arabic, Wolof, Serer and Tukulor.

5. Keith Wilkinson's father Jerry played four years in the NFL as a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns. He was a fourth-round draft choice by the Rams in 1979.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 7 boxes

Photo:

(1) NICK YOUNG

(2) GABE PRUITT

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Box:

(1) ROSTER

(2) MARK YOUR CALENDAR (see text)

(3) SEASON'S A SUCCESS IF... (see text)

(4) SEASON'S A FLOP IF... (see text)

(5) INTRODUCING ... (see text)

(6) ROSTER BREAKDOWN (see text)

(7) FIVE FACTS (see text)