Villanova adds third recruit

The Villanova Wildcats added some much needed size to their roster on Wednesday when promising 6-foot-9 210 pound senior center Frank Tchuisi from St. Benedict's in Newark, NJ became head coach Jay Wright's third recruit from the class of 2005.

Tchuisi (pronounced "sushi" like the Japanese dish) was on campus at Villanova this past weekend, and things quickly fell into place, as the Wildcats received a signed letter of intent on Wednesday, the last day of the fall signing period.

He picked Villanova over interest from Providence, Rutgers, Saint Louis, East Carolina, Richmond, Rice, and Xavier.

Tchuisi is new to the game of basketball. The Cameroon native arrived in the United States just two years ago, landing at St. Benedict's where he's been under the expert tuteledge of head coach Danny Hurley. Last season Tchuisi missed a good part of the season with an ankle injury, so he's a guy that has been somewhat of an unknown on the national circuit.

We've seen him play quite a bit since he's arrived at St. Benedict's, both for the Grey Bees and for Jimmy Salmon's Playaz Basketball Club. He attended the Reebok ABCD Camp this past summer and played well against strong competition before breaking his foot the first day. He tried to play on it the next day, but his effectiveness was severely diminished. He then sat out most of the July evaluation period, again missing an opportunity to showcase himself in front of college coaches.

"He was really disappointed," said Grey Bees coach Danny Hurley. "Frank was getting lots of Big East and A-10 interest going into the summer, and I thought he was poised to really break out on the scene.

"He had the foot casted at the end of july and sat out for six weeks. Now that he's healthy, he's been working out great."

Schools that made the trek to Newark, NJ to see some of St. Benedict's outstanding underclassmen were intrigued with Tchuisi.

"Rutgers, Providence, and Villanova were going to recruit him late," Hurley told us. "But Villanova made the decision that with Frank being healthy this year, and not a lot of good big men left, it was going to be much tougher to get him in the spring. So, they offered early instead and got it done."

Tchuisi is a long, athletic big man who excels defensively and on the glass. He has progressed nicely at the offensive end from when he first arrived in the states, but he still has a lot to learn in that area. One thing we've noticed is that he seems more comfortable on the floor with each outing, and that will be key to his continuing to develop.

He averaged 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game last season for St. Benedict's in limited action. Tchuisi is an excellent student who has already qualified academically.

Tchuisi joins Villanova's other signees, 6-foot-6 G/F Dwayne Anderson from St. Thomas More in Oakdale, CT and 6-foot-8 forward Dante Cunningham from Potomac HS in Potomac, MD. 6-foot freshman PG Kyle Lowry is sitting out this season with a knee injury, so he will effectively become the 4th member of this recruiting class next year.