Loyola Gets Commitment From Guard : Basketball: All-Southern Section selection Michael O’Quinn says he will sign a letter of intent in November.

Michael O’Quinn, an All-Southern Section guard from Pius X High in Downey, has given an unwritten commitment to play basketball for Loyola Marymount.

O’Quinn said Tuesday that he will sign a national letter of intent Nov. 11, the first day of a weeklong early signing period for prep seniors.

Recruited as a shooting guard, the 6-foot-5 O’Quinn averaged 22 points and eight rebounds last season to lead Pius X to a 23-7 record, the Division IV-AA championship game and the state regional semifinals.

He was named Camino Real League player of the year the past two seasons, building a reputation as a deadly outside shooter. O’Quinn said he shot 73% from the field in league play last season.

“He’s one of the best pure shooters around,” a former high school coach said. “He’ll fit in well at Loyola.”

In choosing Loyola, O’Quinn said he was won over by the atmosphere of the campus, new coach John Olive and the Lions’ run-and-gun style of play. Some have likened him to former Loyola standout Bo Kimble, now with the Clippers.

Asked about the comparison to Kimble, O’Quinn said: “I’ll be better. I’ll bring Loyola’s name back to where it used to be.”

O’Quinn said he was also recruited by UC Santa Barbara, Nevada and UCLA, which had backed off recently because it was recruiting another guard.