It's official: Brittain headed to the Bulls

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

Central Florida Community College basketball coach Gene Smithson confirmed Wednesday what insiders have known for months: Greg Brittain is headed to USF.

Brittain, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound small forward at Ocala-based CFCC, has orally committed to play for Bulls coach Seth Greenberg in the 2001-02 season.

Brittain, a sophomore, was the Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year last season after averaging 15.8 points and 7.1 rebounds. He finished third in the state's JUCO player of the year voting and earned honorable mention All-America honors.

"He's been committed to them for some time," Smithson said. "I think his upside is fantastic. He's really coming on. And he's a great kid."

Brittain was recruited by USF and several other major programs while at Mount Dora High, where he led his team to the 1998 Class 4A title. He graduated in 1999 and enrolled at CFCC that fall after failing to meet initial NCAA eligibility requirements.

In high school, Brittain twice earned first-team all-Florida honors and finished as Mount Dora's second all-time leading scorer.

"He's committed to them, and they've committed to him," Mount Dora coach Scott Williams said.

"He gives Seth a player much like (USF starter) B.B. Waldon. B.B. can step out on the perimeter and is used inside and outside. Greg is very complementary to B.B. in his versatility. He is the No. 1 guy on (USF's) board. That's what they're telling me."

A post player at Mount Dora, Brittain switched to small forward at CFCC. As a freshman, he made 30 percent of his three-point attempts. He is expected to play small forward or shooting guard.

Brittain could not be reached for comment.

NCAA SAYS PARTICIPATION UP: Athletic participation at NCAA member schools increased by more than 20,000 last year, with the biggest gains in women's sports, according to the annual report.

"While this information provides a good indication of general trends, it may not be precise," the organization said in a news release. The report indicated a women's increase of 9.3 percent to 145,832. The men's increase was 3.7 (207,592). Overall the increase was 6 percent, from 333,407 to 353,424.

PAYNE SUING OREGON ST.: Ex-basketball coach Eddie Payne has filed notice that he plans to sue the school for $2.4-million. Payne said it reneged on an April 1999 oral agreement to extend his contract and is refusing to give him the benefits in his contract.

PROVIDENCE: Three ex-basketball players were indicted by a grand jury for an off-campus fight in April that left two students injured. Guard Donta Wade and centers David Murray and Llewellyn Cole each were charged with felony assault, conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon. Wade was also indicted on a second felony assault count. Arraignment is set for June 28.

EASTERN KENTUCKY: Former Vanderbilt guard and Scott County (Ky.) basketball star Rick Jones was arrested and jailed after he was allegedly found with marijuana during a traffic stop, according to police. He was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and speeding. Jones averaged 5.7 points for Vanderbilt but was kicked off the team in April for academic reasons. He signed with Colonels last month.

Football

CLEMSON: Offensive tackle Akil Smith is in the hospital with what appears to be pneumonia and a possible blood clot in the lungs. He is in stable condition.

MINNESOTA: Sanford "Sandy" Stephens, a former All-America quarterback died of a heart attack at 59.

-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.

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