Lyday, Opunui Sign NCAA Letters-of-Intent to Play Basketball at BYU

Terrell Lyday, a two-time all-conference guard at Fresno City College, and Shawn Opunui, widely regarded as the best high school point guard in Utah, have signed NCAA letters-of-intent to play basketball for coach Steve Cleveland at BYU.

Lyday, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound combination guard, transfers from Fresno City College where he earned All-Central Valley Conference honors both seasons as the Rams leading scorer and top defender. Finishing his FCC career in eighth place on the all-time scoring list with 1,144 points, Lyday averaged 17.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists to lead the Rams to a 32-4 record and conference title in 1999. An athletic player who can create his own shot, Lyday also made 102 three pointers on the season while shooting 42 percent from behind the arc.

"Terrell Lyday played all three perimeter positions during his two years at Fresno City College," said BYU coach Steve Cleveland. "It is a real benefit to our program to have players with that kind of versatility. He is an outstanding shooter, can take it to the basket and is a strong finisher and was Fresno's top defender. Terrell is an outstanding young man who will be a real asset to our program on and off the court."

Lyday prepped at Hoover High School in Fresno and was named the Fresno Bee's Player of the Year his senior season. He averaged 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Patriots to lead them to the North Yosemite League title and a 21-5 overall record.

Opunui, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound guard out of Orem High School, is widely regarded as the best high school point guard in Utah. The All-State performer scored 21.7 points per game for the Tigers while dishing out more than six assists per contest. A strong offensive player and solid defender, Opunui shot nearly 91 percent from the free throw line, third best in state history, and 40 percent on three-point attempts. His 401 assists put him on the state's top-10 all-time list.

"We're excited that Shawn will be part of our program next season," said Cleveland. "Shawn has decided to play one season and then leave next spring to serve an LDS mission. Shawn is a true point guard who has great court vision and outstanding passing skills. He has the ability to push the ball, break down defenses and is an exceptional three point shooter. I love Shawn's passion for the game and his work ethic on the court and in the classroom."

Along with the signing of Lyday and Opunui, BYU adds several returned missionaries to the program for the 1999-2000 season and is much better positioned to have an exceptional recruiting class in the fall.

"We are involved in a multi-year recruiting strategy," said Cleveland. "I am satisfied with this spring's recruiting efforts despite the scholarship challenges that exist. We have shored up the point guard position and we have additional versatility on the perimeter. Eric Nielsen is a 6-foot-8 experienced post player who has returned from his mission and will provide needed depth on the front line. I am very encouraged that we have positioned ourselves so that we will have the ability to recruit an outstanding senior class next fall."

Shawn Opunui -- 5-11 -- 170 -- Point Guard -- Orem, Utah

All-State point guard at Orem High School ... averaged 21.7 points and 6.1 assists per game his senior season ... shot 90.5 percent from the foul line, thirdbest in state history ... 40 percent three-point shooter ... Opunui finished his high school career with 401 assists, which put in the state's top 10 alltime ... extremely athletic and widely recognized as best high school point guard in Utah...breaks down defenses with his dribble and is a solid defender ... loves pushing the ball up the floor ... true point guard with great court vision ... super passer and great penetrator ... coached by Matt Logan who says Opunui is the best athlete he's seen at point guard in 11 years of coaching in Utah ... recruited by Saint Louis, Northwestern, Illinois, Hawai'i, San Jose State and Pepperdine ... turns 19 on Sept. 19, 1999.

Terrell Lyday -- 6-3 -- 185 -- Combo Guard -- Fresno, California

Two-time All-Central Valley Conference guard at Fresno City College ... finished FCC career as No. 8 all-time scorer with 1,144 points ... led team in scoring with a 17.5 average while shooting 46 percent from the floor, 42 percent on three pointers and 68 percent from the free throw line ... made 102 three pointers in 36 games in 1999 ... averaged 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 68 FCC contests ... best defender at FCC ... helped team to a 32-4 record and Central Valley Conference title in 1999, including a 16 game winning streak -- second longest in school history ... lost in state semifinals to Cerritos College (74-70), the eventual state champs ... helped team finish second in the CVC his freshman year ... 58-12 record over two years at FCC ... signed with FCC out of Fresno's Hoover High School in 1997 ... Fresno Bee's Player of the Year at Hoover High ... averaged 21 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3 steals per game his senior year ... shot 49 percent, 36 on threes, and 78 percent from the free throw line ... led Hoover High Patriots to North Yosemite League title with 10-0 record (21-5 overall) ... was North Yosemite League Player of the Year ... scored 36 points in City-County All-Star game ... great work ethic and intensity ... son of Susan Lyday.