Villanova Formally Signs Philadelphian Markus Kennedy

To the Wildcat faithful-

As Villanova prepared to embark upon its 90th season of intercollegiate play, coach Jay Wright formally signed a recruit from its own backyard, 6-9 power forward Markus Kennedy. (It also signed 6-5 wing forward James Bell - see separate post.)

Back in July, a short Philadelphia Daily News article had this to say on Kennedy:

The last thing Markus Kennedy wanted to do was change schools for the fourth time in 4 years. But the highly touted 6-9, 260-pound Villanova recruit, who lives in Yeadon, Delaware County, has opted to go to Winchendon (Mass.) Prep.

Kennedy, who committed to Villanova in April, found out that his school, Living Faith Christian Academy in Cherry Hill, had closed last month. That left him and his family scrambling to find a high school for his senior year.

Kennedy was thinking strongly about attending Penn Wood, the defending PIAA Class AAAA state champions. But Barbara Kennedy, Markus' mother, asked for suggestions from Villanova coach Jay Wright and he recommended Winchendon...

Kennedy wanted to attend Penn Wood, but Winchendon offered stronger academics and plays a national schedule. The school is considered one of the top Class A programs in Massachusetts.

Kennedy started at Monsignor Bonner, transferred to St. Patrick's in North Jersey and attended Living Faith last year....

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