10/24/03 Brooklyn Scout: 'Jermaine Maybank, a 6-4 wing guard at Independence (KS) JC, has given a verbal commitment to St. John's.

As a freshman at Independence last season, Maybank sat out the first semester to obtain his GED. He started after the semester break, compiling averages of 9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists for a team that finished 16-14.

Maybank attended Bronx (NY) Regional HS before heading out to Kansas.

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Rodney Epperson, a 6-7 small forward now at Midland (TX) JC, has given a verbal commitment to St. John's for the 2004-05 season.

Epperson transferred to Midland this summer from Barton (KS) CC, where he averaged 14.7 points and 4.5 assists as a freshman for the 28-4 Cougars. He connected on 46% of his field goals, 36% from beyond the arc and 77% from the foul line. Epperson was named third team All-Conference in the Jayhawk-West division.

The Queens (NY) native was at standout at LaSalle HS in New York before completing his prep years at Troy (NY) Redemption and Maine Central.

Epperson enters this season ranked #7 among the nation's JUCO small forwards by NBADraft.net (Matthew Maurer), #8 by Lindy's (Van Coleman) and #9 by The Sporting News (Rick Ball).

He also received interest from Cincinnati, Louisville, Colorado, Oregon and Auburn, but took just a single official visit to St. John's.

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Danny Gray, a 6-8 power forward from Ventura (CA) JC, has given a verbal commitment to Utah State for the 2004-05 season.

As a freshman on a 23-7 team last season, Gray averaged 9 points and 6.3 rebounds, shooting 60% from the floor and 63% from the foul line.

Gray, a native of New York (NY), chose the Aggies over interest from St. Bonaventure, UNLV, Wyoming, Oregon and East Carolina. He is expected to sign a binding national letter-of-intent during the early signing period next month. '