It’s been quite a journey for Frank Ben-Eze, the highly-touted O’Connell center who originally committed to Harvard University, but the 6-foot-10 mammoth finally ended his college recruitment by faxing his letter-of-intent shortly after The Connection went to press last week.
One of the top remaining recruits for the 2008 class, Ben-Eze chose Davidson over Georgia Tech following an official visit two weeks ago. He is from Benin City, Nigeria, the same hometown as current Davidson forward Andrew Lovedale.
According to hoopscoop.com, Ben-Eze is ranked No. 21 at his position, though he struggled with injuries throughout his senior season after a stellar summer with the D.C. Blue Devils. Ben-Eze tore his anterior cruciate in the WCAC championship game against Gonzaga, ligament, and is scheduled to have surgery next week.
Davidson reached the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight last season, but no returning Wildcat is taller than 6-foot-9. Davidson went a 23-0 in the Southern Conference, followed by the three NCAA tournament upsets and a two-point loss to eventual national champ Kansas.
Ben-Eze is currently the lone senior to sign, though head coach Bob McKillop, who has been at the school for the past 19 years, has said he might give one to current walk-on Ben Allison.
After finishing with a 29-7 record last season, McKillop is expected to negotiate a new contract.
Next season, the Wildcats will make appearances in the NIT Season Tip-Off and the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. They'll also play at Duke and face NC State at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.