The Syracuse basketball program landed a big man yesterday when 7-0 Darryl Watkins of Paterson Catholic High School in New Jersey signed with the Orangemen. Watkins was also considering Rutgers.

Watkins, who has unlimited physical potential, could be a big impact player down the road for the Syracuse basketball program. He can block shots, rebounds, and hit the offensive glass.

Watkins, who played also with the Playaz AAU program, is academically qualified, according to a source close to Darryl's family. Many basketball people in the business thought at first that Watkins would land at Rutgers because of his friend Marquis Webb. However, our source said Watkins made up his mind yesterday and signed the papers. He will be eligible for this upcoming season.