Fred Hill’s Scarlet Knights program received a piece of significant news over the holiday weekend. Greg Echenique, a top prospect from the Class of 2009, has been admitted to the school as a member of the Class of 2008.
In addition to Echenique’s presence, Rutgers’ frontcourt has also been bolstered by Florida transfer Jonathan Mitchell, a Mount Vernon product.
Echenique was ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the Class of 2009. He’ll fall somewhere in the Top 40 in 2008. In his final season at St. Benedict Prep, Echenique tossed in 11.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. His primary job was keeping defenders off Samardo Samuels and generally guarded the opponent’s top post player.
“Not only is Greg a tremendous talent and competitor, he is a very insightful and poised young man,” Hill said in a statement.
Hill signed Mike Rosario from Bob Hurley, Sr.’s program and Echenique hails from Hurley son’s prep powerhouse. The point being: Rutgers added a pair of winners plus Mitchell, another former state champion.
“The significance of adding player’s from the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked high school teams – both of which have been schooled in ‘Hurley Basketball’ – is immense,” Hill said.