TAMPA – University of South Florida men’s basketball coach Stan Heath announced today a late addition to the 2008-09 class with the signing of point guard Justin Leemow to a Grant-In-Aid.

“We are excited to have Justin join us for the 2008-09 season,” said Heath. “He is a true point guard who will give us added depth in the backcourt.”

Leemow, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, spent the past year at Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C. The 6-1 lead guard averaged 13.5 points, 4 assists and 2 steals per game this past season as a member of the post-graduate team. He also split time on the national team at Mt. Zion. Leemow was coached by Brett Wilson and Tony Fozard at Mt. Zion.

Prior to Mt. Zion, he spent two years at The Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C. and two years at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn.

Leemow will join guard Gaby Belardo, forward/center Augustus Gilchrist, forward Eladio Espinosa and junior center Alex Rivas Sanchez as part of the incoming recruiting class. Junior guard Mike Mercer, a transfer from Georgia, will also become eligible in December at the end of the fall semester.

Justin Leemow, Guard
High School: Mt. Zion Christian Academy (N.C.)
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
6-1, 175
Full name is Justin Jude Leemow... Spent final year of school at Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C.... Attended The Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C. and Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. prior to Mt. Zion... Coached by Brett Wilson and Tony Fozard at Mt. Zion... Son of Delia Pollard and Sylvester Leemow... Stepfather is Earl Pollard and mentor is James Black... Has two brothers, Jovan and Jobe, and one adopted brother, Stanley Sylvester... Born August 1, 1988... Name is pronounced Lee-Mow (as in now).