University Southern California Trojans
Tanner Clayton, Joey Booth Sign With USC
November 20, 2009 | Men's Volleyball
Nov. 20, 2009
High school volleyball standouts Tanner Clayton and Joey Booth have signed letters of intent with USC, Trojan men's head coach Bill Ferguson announced today.
Clayton is a 6-8 middle blocker from Rancho Bernardo High in San Diego (Calif.) and Booth is a 6-5 outside hitter from Corona del Mar (Calif.) High.
"We're thrilled to sign both of these players," said Ferguson. "This addresses two big needs on our team."
Clayton earned All-CIF San Diego Section second team and All-Palomar League second team honors as a junior in 2009. He also played center on Rancho Bernardo's basketball team.
He was a member of the 2009 USA Boys Youth National Team that placed 10th at the FIVB Boys Youth (Under 19) World Championship in Italy. He also was named to the 2009 Junior Olympics All-Tournament 17 team after making the All-Tournament 16 team at the 2008 Junior Olympics. His Epic Volleyball Club team won the 16 and 17 silver medal at the 2008 and 2009 Junior Olympics, respectively.
"With Tanner, we feel like we signed the best high school middle blocker in the country," said Ferguson. "We were really impressed with the great summer he had with the Youth National Team. He'll make an impact on our team."
Booth sat out his 2009 junior season at Corona del Mar after transferring from Sage Hill School in Newport Coast (Calif.), where he made the 2008 All-CIF Division V first team as a sophomore (with 156 kills, 92 digs, 31 blocks and 17 aces) and the 2007 All-Academy League as a freshman. He also played football at Sage Hill.
He was voted the "best attacker" in the Boys International Youth division at the 2009 USA Volleyball High Performance Championship in Florida as his USA Youth Blue team won the gold medal. His Balboa Bay Club team won the 16 and 17 gold medals at the 2008 and 2009 Junior Olympics, respectively. He also participated in the 2008 USA Boys Youth Holiday Training Camp.
His grandfather is Peter Ueberroth, who played water polo at San Jose State, then later became president of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, commissioner of Major League Baseball (1984-89) and chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
"Joey will be a huge contributor to our program," said Ferguson. "He is coming off a fine showing this past summer."
