Nov. 14, 2006
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Three talented guards have signed national letters of intent to attend Villanova University, it was announced today. The class includes 6-1 Corey Fisher of St. Patrick's (N.J.) High School; 6-0 Malcolm Grant of The Winchendon School (Mass.); and 6-5 Corey Stokes of St. Benedict's (N.J.) Prep.
"We are thrilled to have three more East Coast guards that are outstanding players and beautiful people join our family at Villanova," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "We are extremely impressed by the pedigree of these three guards. They all come to us from exceptionally strong and tradition-laden programs."
Fisher, a native of the Bronx, N.Y., helped lead St. Patrick's High School to the New Jersey Tournament of Champions title last March. He was a first team all-state choice by Newark Star Ledger after averaging 14.9 points and 4.2 assists per outing in 2005-06. Fisher hails from the same high school as current `Cat senior Mike Nardi.
"Corey Fisher is extremely well-prepared for college basketball after playing for coach Kevin Boyle at St. Pat's," said Wright. "Corey is in the same mold as Mike Nardi, as he is both explosive and intelligent on the court."
Grant scored over 1,500 points in a decorated high school career at Brooklyn (N.Y.)'s Paul Robeson High School before enrolling at Winchendon this fall. As a senior at Robeson in 2005-06, Grant averaged 23.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest.
"Malcolm comes from a great high school program at Robeson where he was coached by Todd Miles and followed that this season in another great program at Winchendon, coached by Mike Byrnes," Wright stated. "Malcolm is a true point guard. He is crafty, tenacious and very charismatic."
Stokes was an integral component of another potent New Jersey squad in 2005-06, St. Benedict's Prep. He averaged 11.5 ppg as part of a balanced attack, connecting on 42 percent of his 3-point field goal attempts and joined Fisher on the first team all-state squad. One of Stokes' former teammates, sophomore Frank Tchuisi, is already a member of the Wildcats squad.
"Corey is probably one of the best shooters we have ever recruited at Villanova," said Wright. "He has also been very well coached by Danny Hurley at St. Benedict's Prep. Corey brings size, toughness and a great basketball IQ."
