That wish came true yesterday as Shannon, senior at Academy of the New Church, verbally committed to play at Drexel next season.

"Me and my brother always talked about going to the same college and playing basketball," Shannon said.

Shannon will join Samme, a freshman forward for the Dragons.

"They've been playing since they were 11, so why not continue it," said dad Kevin Givens, who is also ANC's coach. "It cuts down on travel expenses."

Kevin Givens said Shannon is a hard-nosed, tough-guy, Philadelphia kid who would bring immediate leadership to the Dragons.

"Shannon is the kind of guy you want in the alleyway with you," he said.

Shannon, a 5-11 point guard, is expected to play immediately next season. Drexel has four senior guards on its roster and Givens and his family knew Drexel would offer a chance to play early in his career.

"It's a good school for me to play at," he said.

Givens was down to La Salle, Rutgers and Drexel in the summer, according to his father.

Ultimately, Givens knew Drexel was the right choice.

"They're getting a great point guard to lead them to a championship," he said. "As a young kid I have always played in an older age group. So I know I can step up to the challenge." *