LyRan Russell graduated from USF in 2002 with a Bachelor's in Kinesiology and a Degree in College Counseling in 2012. He worked as a basketball coach and counselor at Sacred Heart High School and at Salesian College Preparatory. He is currently a basketball Coach at College of Marin.
If you are interested in the future of the Dons, check out local prep action throughout the season. High-school seniors Lyryan Russell and Ali Thomas play for local powerhouses Sacred Heart and St. Ignatius respectively. Both have also signed national letters of intent to attend USF next year. Over the weekend Thomas scored 30 points, Russell posted an uncharacteristically low 8. This adds an interesting twist for USF fans during the annual game between SI and Sacred Heart played at Memorial.
The Dons exhibited their new style of play with an almost constant, turnover-inducing press that trapped and frustrated the B.C. Albacomp offense. Forward Robert Shannon was the lone bright spot for the touring team, scoring 24 points while going five for nine from behind the three-point arc. B.C. Albacomp, however, was rarely able to run any sort of set offense in the second half. While shooting well, a 54 percent clip in the second half, B.C. Albacomp was forced into comitting 20 turnovers to the Dons 10. The guard play sparkled for the Dons as Jamal Cobbs and LyRyan Russell pushed the ball up the floor at every opportunity for transition play, creating numerous opportunities for Ward, Cantrell, and Gerald Zimmerman in the paint. Cobbs had six assists and Russell added three while often running a set, motion offense called in from the sideline.
"Our two freshmen won the game," said Mathews, referring to the freshmen tandem of Russell and Thomas. "Without them we were in trouble. They are doing a great job (TheFoghorn)."
