Posted on Fri, Aug. 1, 2008
While he continues to recruit for the freshman class of 2009, Villanova coach Jay Wright received an oral commitment yesterday from a guard who won't play for the Wildcats until 2010.
James Bell, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Orlando, Fla., is entering his junior year at the Montverde Academy in Florida.
The Wildcats "have a 100 percent graduation rate, and the atmosphere that Coach Wright and his coaching staff have is great," Bell said. "Coach Wright is honest. He just wants the best for his players, and the family atmosphere he creates is something you can't find anywhere else."
Bell played his first two years of high school at Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla., which won the Florida 2-A championship both seasons. He averaged about 13 points and nine rebounds last season.
Bell was also recruited by Kentucky, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Mississippi, Auburn, West Virginia and Penn State. He said he had committed early because he wanted to "get better in the classroom and on the basketball court."
Bell said he had family in the Philadelphia area, including an aunt in Lansdale.
"There's nothing more you could ask for," he said. "It feels good going where you feel comfortable."
Bell said he felt his strengths were his athleticism and defense. He said he needed to work on ballhandling and a more consistent jump shot.
Bell is Villanova's first commitment for the class entering in 2010. The Wildcats already have two for the class of 2009: guard Maalik Wayns of Roman Catholic and forward Isaiah Armwood of Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md.
Wayns averaged six points a game for the United States U18 National Team, which lost the FIBA Americas Tournament final to host Argentina, 77-64. Wayns was scoreless in 13 minutes in the championship game.
Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 21-854-4494
or jjuliano@phillynews.com.
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