May 15, 2001

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Chris Charles, a 7-0 forward from Crispus Attucks Youth Build Charter School in York, Pa., has signed a national letter of intent to attend Villanova University, head coach Jay Wright announced today.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisc., Charles helped lead Crispus Attucks to a 23-2 record and the national prep school championship during the 1999-2000 campaign. He averaged 11 points and seven rebounds per outing while playing for head coach Isiah Anderson and established himself as one of the premier prep big men in the nation.

Crispus Attucks de-emphasized its basketball program in the summer of 2000. That kept Charles from playing organized prep basketball as a senior, though he continued to work out and participate in AAU competition.

"Chris is an outstanding young man", said Wright. "He has been well-coached by Isiah Anderson and is prepared for Big East basketball. We are proud to have a student-athlete of Chris' caliber join the Villanova basketball family."

Charles becomes the second member of the Villanova class of 2005. Forward Marcus Austin (St. Patrick's Elizabeth High School) signed a national letter of intent last November.