Nov. 16, 2005
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Five student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to attend Villanova in the fall of 2006, it was announced today. The group includes: 6-10 center Casiem Drummond; 6-10 forward Andrew Ott; 6-8 forward Antonio Pena; 6-4 guard Reggie Redding; and 6-8 forward Kraidon Woods.
"This is an exciting time for our Villanova Basketball family," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "We are approaching a new era for our program. This class is very unique on the court but very similar to our current senior class in its commitment to Villanova University and the goals of our basketball program."
Drummond is a senior at Bloomfield Tech High School in New Jersey. At 6-10 and 275 pounds, he is expected to add a low-post presence to the Wildcats. He averaged 15.5 points and nine rebounds per game in 2004-05.
"Casiem has outstanding skills, combined with size and strength," states Wright. "He has played in a very successful high school program under Nick Mariniello at Bloomfield Tech."
Another signee with significant size, Ott is a senior at nearby Germantown Academy, where former Wildcat standout Alvin Williams played before coming to Villanova. As a junior in 2004-05, he averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.
"Andrew is a very unique basketball player," Wright states. "He has the skills of a guard and size of a forward. He also comes from an extremely successful program, having learned from Jim Fenerty at Germantown Academy."
Pena is a New York City native who began his prep career at Lincoln High School. In 2004-05 he moved to St. Thomas More in Connecticut, where he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds as a junior. Among his teammates was current Wildcat Dwayne Anderson.
"Antonio has size, skill and athleticism," notes Wright. "He has Brooklyn toughness with prep school savvy. He's been well schooled by Tiny Morton at Lincoln High School and Jere Quinn at St. Thomas More."
Like Ott, Redding adds to the Wildcats' local flavor. The native of Philadelphia is considered one of the top high school players in the region at Saint Joseph's Prep. He averaged 22 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in 2004-05.
"We're thrilled to have a classic Philadelphia guard join us in Reggie Redding," says Wright. "He is as prepared for college basketball as any player, having played for the legendary Speedy Morris at Saint Joseph's Prep."
A native of New York, Woods is now at Pocono East High School in Pennsylvania. Woods brings athleticism and considerable upside to Villanova.
"Kraidon has size, length and skills," Wright states. "As he adds bulk, he can become a very effective frontcourt player. He's got a great feel for Philadelphia basketball, having played for Bron Holland and Al Callejas."
