BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: VILLANOVA

August 25, 2008


Verbal Commitment Alert: Mouphtau Yarou, 6'10 (C/PF) Montrose Christian of Rockville (MD)


Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Frank Tchuisi (F), Dwayne Anderson (SG), Dante Cunningham (F), Shane Clark (F)
Juniors: Scottie Reynolds (G), Reggie Redding (G), Casseim Drummond (C)
Sophomores: Corey Stokes (G), Corey Fisher (PG), Antonio Pena (F), Taylor King (WF)
Freshmen: Maurice Sutton (C/BF)
2009 Commitments: Maalik Wayns (PG), Isaiah Armwood (F), Mouphtau Yarou (C/BF)
2010 Commitments: James Bell (SG)

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Villanova Gets a Commitment From a Top Power Forward in Mouphtau Yarou. The addition of Yarou continues to strengthen a tremendous class of 2009 for Jay Wright and the Wildcats.



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With Big East rivals such as Georgetown and Pitt also trying to woo Mouphtau Yarou to their programs, Jay Wright was the winner of the sweepstakes for the 6-foot-10, 250 pound African import.

On Friday afternoon, the NBE Basketball Report was lucky enough to talk with Anthony Lewis, the head man of the Cecil Kirk AAU program, who coached Yarou on the AAU circuit to close out the AAU season. Unlike many African imports, Lewis tells us that Yarou is quite advanced in his skill set and is more polished than one would expect, particularly in the paint. He is very agile and can stick the face-up jumper. Above all, Yarou is a "high quality kid," according to Lewis.

The NBE Basketball Report also viewed Yarou late in the summer at the Reebok Summer Classic East and the Nike Main Event where he backed up Lewis' descriptions of his play. His excellent athletic ability makes him an excellent shot blocker and intimidating presence in the paint as well as a very good rebounder. He also showed solid moves inside as well as the ability to hit the 15-foot jumper and the ability to finish strong.

Anthony Lewis also informed the NBE Basketball Report that is it most likely going to be Montrose Christian this year for Yarou. Previous, he was attending Massanutten (VA) Military Academy during his short time in the United States (only been here for six months or so, according to Lewis).

Earlier this summer, Jay Wright took another step to completing a huge class of 2009 as, joining early commitment Maalik Wayns, forward Isaiah Armwood, who plays at the aforementioned Montrose Christian, committed to 'Nova. Armwood has long been considered Villanova's to lose and he made the call for the Wildcats.

Armwood is a 6'8, 195 lb combo forward who is an intriguing prospect because he has length and athletic ability that few 6'8 players in the class can bring. His skill set seems to be ready to explode with the ability to go beyond the arc and take a big forward to the perimeter. Against a smaller forward, Armwood can take them inside. He has the potential to remind Wildcat fans of Curtis Sumpter with the inside/out match-up problems he can cause opponents.

Armwood averaged about 13 points and 10 rebounds last season for Montrose Christian and coach Stu Vetter. He missed much of the 2nd half of the season with a sprained MCL in his knee. Prior to entering the Big East, he will have to add some weight and strength to battle in the Big East.

Villanova still has two scholarships open for the class of 2009. From the get-go, shooting guard Dominic Cheek of St. Anthony's in Jersey City (NJ) has been at the top of Jay Wright's wish list for 2009 and the interest has been mutual. However, Cheek still has yet to narrow down his long list of suitors, but expect the Wildcats to be in it right until the very end, along with schools like Connecticut (where Cheek participated in their Elite Camp), the local New Jersey Big East schools (SHU and Rutgers), Pittsburgh and several from the ACC and beyond. Cheek recently performed in the Boost Mobile Elite 24 in Rucker Park and talked about the relationship he has developed with Maalik Wayns and it could play a role in his decision.

Adding a true center is still a possibility for the Wildcats and Aaric Murray, of Glen Mills (PA) high School, will still be pursued. It is unclear if Yarou's commitment could impact Murray's interest in VU. Another forward Villanova is in the recruiting race for as is Armwood's (amd possibly Yarou's) teammate, Terrel Vinson of Montrose Christian. Mount Vernon wing Sherrod Wright has also been mentioned as a player on the VU radar for 2009.

While Jay Wright and Villanova continue to work towards closing a blockbuster class in 2009, they have gotten a head start in the class of 2010 with the early verbal commitment from James Bell. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard, who will attend Monteverde Academy in Florida this coming season, chose Villanova over Florida, Clemson, Miami and West Virginia, according to ZagsBlog.net.

Last year at the Arlington Country Day School, Bell averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds a contest and has performed on the AAU circuit with the strong Team Stat program out of the sunshine state that also recently produced USF guard Dominique Jones. Bell is a native of New Jersey, which, along with 'Nova's excellent graduation rate under Jay Wright, played a key role in his decision. Bell is an athletic guard on the wing.