Louisville or Villanova? That was the question Earl Clark has heard a thousand times but never answered publicly. Until Tuesday. The five-star prospect from Rahway (N.J.) High School answered the question at an afternoon press conference at his school.

Clark, the No. 15 ranked player in the country by Rivals.com, ended his recruitment and picked the Cardinals by putting on a black and red Louisville cap.

After officially visiting Louisville two weeks ago, Clark deliberated with his family about his decision and decided that the new Big East school was where his heart was.

"I just felt at home on my visit and it was my kind of place," Clark said. "It was where I wanted to be."

All of the pieces are coming together for Louisville. Clark joins fellow Northeastern prospects Derrick Caracater and Edgar Sosa as well as Wisconsin combo guard Jerry Smith for the 2006 class. With Clark coming into the fold, it's another stellar class put together by Rick Pitino.

Clark gives the Cards a big and versatile "point forward" that can play all over the floor. He'll be one tough player to defend in the Big East. And Clark hopes he becomes an even better prospect with Pitino's help.

"If you are a good player, he will make you work and become a great player," Clark told Rivals.com. "He wants his players to reach their potential, their full potential. Coach wants me to be the best that I can be. I know he'll work with me to make me a great player, and that's what I want to be."

Jerry Meyer on Clark: "Clark is a very good ball handler and passer for a player with his length. He is capable of playing the point guard position to the power forward position on the offensive end. Around the basket, he can score, rebound and alter shots. Can make outside shots, but that is an area of his game that could improve. Very fine and versatile prospect."