Brandon Jennings, the top point guard in the Class of 2008, gave an oral commitment to the University of Southern California (USC) last Friday, nine days after high school phenom O.J. Mayo signed a letter of intent with USC.

Jennings was believed to be leaning towards going to UConn, but the California native is spending the year at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and sources indicated he was homesick and wanted to return to the west coast. Jennings also said he didn’t plan on visiting any other schools.

“UConn was in there, but he wanted to stay close to home and be near his support system,” Southern Cal All-Stars director Pat Barrett said. “He wanted his family, friends and coaches to be close to him.”

“Brandon will be the best point guard I’ve ever had in my 20-something years,” Barrett added. “And I’ve had some good ones – Baron Davis, Jason Hart and other guys who went on to have good college and pro careers.”

If OJ Mayo decides to stay another year, although highly unlikely, the USC Trojans would likely be a top 5 ranked team in 2008.