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LOS ANGELES - LMU men's basketball has received signed National Letters Intent from four Southern California high school standouts, all of whom played for their respective high school in the CIF State Championships a year ago. Joe Quintana (Bonita), Eli Scott (Chino Hills), Ryse Williams (Redondo Union), and Zafir Williams (Long Beach Poly) have signed NLIs to attend and play for LMU beginning in the fall of 2017.

"This group of young men come from quality local programs that have competed at the highest level," said Head Coach Mike Dunlap, who begins his third year with the Lions. "All four have learned from some of the best coaches and have been challenged to lead top programs. All four have had success at the highest level, with all four playing into at least the semifinals of the CIF championships last year. We are excited about this group."

Quintana, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, is a two-time All-Inland Valley and CIF selection. Last year he led Bonita to the Division 3AA championship game. Ryse Williams, who played for LMU assistant coach Reggie Morris Jr., before he joined Dunlap's staff, is a 6-2 guard that led Redondo Union to the CIF Division I semifinals a year ago, going 28-7 on the year.

Scott, a 6-4 forward, helped Chino Hills go 35-0 and finish No. 1 by the USA Today Super 25 rankings. Scott had a break-out season for the CIF Open Division Champions. Like the other three in the Lions' recruiting class, he was named All-CIF. As for Zafir Williams, the 6-6 forward also had a break-out season in leading Long Beach Poly to the CIF Division II State Championship. He was named CIF Southern Section Co-Player of the Year.

"Not only have these four local products played on good teams, they have grown into major roles for their teammates," said Dunlap. "All four played well in the big games and know what it takes to be successful."

Quintana helped the Bearcats to a 28-7 record and to the D-III title game. In the wins leading up to CIF championships, he led the Bearcats to Southern California regional playoff wins over La Jolla Country Day and Santa Barbara, averaging 24.5 points in those two.

He chalked up 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals in the 52-48 win over Country Day. It was his two free throws with 9.1 seconds left that sealed the outcome of that contest. Then in a 70-67 road upset of Santa Barbara, Quintana tossed in 28 points to lead all scorers. Quintana, a first-team All-Inland Valley selection last year, averaged 24 points his junior season.

Ryse Williams has played in 83 games heading into his senior season at Redondo Union. His junior season saw him average 14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In his career at Redondo, he is averaging 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds. In his last two seasons, he has hit 96-for-262 three-pointers, good for 36.6 percent.

Williams helped Redondo Union to the CIF Division I Championship semifinals, losing to eventual CIF Division I Champion Crespi in overtime. The All-CIF selection scored 22 points in the 84-72 second round win over Birmingham. His season-best was 26 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from three in an 98-77 win over Morningside.

As for the forward Scoot, he played on what was voted the best team in all of high school last year. Earning the No. 1 ranking by the USA Today, Scott transferred to Chino Hills from Upland his sophomore year and played his first season for the 35-0 CIF Open Division Champions. He had a breakout season that led to titles in the Baseline League, Southern Section Open Division, state and national championship tournaments.

Scott was an impact player, averaging 15.8 points and 8.6 rebounds and earning first-team All-Baseline League and All-Inland Valley honors. He too earned All-CIF recognition.

Zafir Williams enters his senior season at Long Beach Poly having played in 85 games, averaging 11.4 points and six rebounds in his first three seasons. He, too, had a break-out season to lead the Jackrabbits in 2015-16, averaging 19.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg while playing in 30 games. Averaged 11.9 and 7.9 as a sophomore.

He finished his junior season shooting 56 percent from the field and 49 percent from three. He was named CIF Southern Section Division IAA Co-Player of the Year, First-Team All-CIF, and led his team to CIF Division II State Championship. In the CIF title game, he had 14 points. Led all scorers with 34 points in the semifinal win over El Camino. His career high came against Millikan, scoring 36 points with 19 rebounds.

LMU began the 2016-17 season on Friday with a 99-51 win over Vanguard. The Lions will travel to Reno to take on Nevada on Nov. 14 before returning home to face UConn at Gersten Pavilion on Nov. 17 at 7 pm to close out Tip-off Week.

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