April 14, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Swingman Bilal Benn (Philadelphia, Pa./Hargrave Military Academy) has signed a national letter of intent to attend Villanova University, it was announced today. The 6-5 Benn will enroll this fall.

Benn played with current Wildcat guard Kyle Lowry at Philadelphia's Cardinal Dougherty High School. In 2004-05, Benn attended Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, where he averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for a squad that finished 28-1.

"Bilal is a classic Philadelphia Catholic League player," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "We're proud to have him as a part of our Villanova Basketball family. He's tough, intelligent, skilled and a winner. We've known Bilal for so long that we feel like he's been a member of the family for years. It's great now that it's official."

Benn becomes the fourth member of Villanova's incoming class of freshmen, joining a trio of athletes who signed letters of intent in the early signing period. Also set to enter Villanova in the fall are Dwayne Anderson, a 6-5 swingman who averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game this season at St. Thomas More (Conn.); Dante Cunningham, a 6- 8 forward who averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocked shots per game and led Potomac High School (Md.) to a perfect (27-0) season; and Frank Tchuisi, a 6-8 forward from St. Benedict's (N.J.) High School who averaged nine points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots per game for a club that ended the campaign with a 28-1 record.