PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Gregory Echenique (Guatire, Venezuela), the nation's 2009 No. 2-rated center prospect by ESPN, and Jonathan Mitchell (Mount Vernon, N.Y.), a University of Florida transfer who was Mr. New York Basketball 2006, have signed to attend Rutgers University and play basketball under head coach Fred Hill. The duo joins an incoming 2008-09 recruiting class that includes 2008 McDonald's, Parade and USA Today All-American Mike Rosario (Jersey City, N.J.), as well as nationally-rated recruits Christian Morris (Bronx, N.Y.) and Patrick Jackson (Brooklyn, N.Y.).

ECHENIQUE

"Needless to say, we are extremely pleased that Greg and Jonathan will continue their educations at the state university and become members of the Rutgers basketball family," said Hill. "Their additions to our program are significant steps forward in our mission to compete for a BIG EAST and National Championship."

Echenique (6-9, 263) averaged 11.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks this past season to earn All-State and All-Prep honors for 24-1 St. Benedict's Preparatory School, which concluded 2007-08 ranked No. 2 in the USA Today Super 25 national rankings under Dan Hurley. The nation's No. 1-ranked team last season, 32-0 St. Anthony, is coached by his father, Bob Hurley, Sr., and featured incoming RU recruit Rosario. St. Benedict's Prep is located in Newark, N.J., while St. Anthony is located in Jersey City, N.J.

"Not only is Greg a tremendous talent and competitor, he is a very insightful and poised young man," said Hill. "He also brings the invaluable experience of having played for Dan Hurley, an elite coach at one of the nation's premier high school programs. The significance of adding players from the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 ranked high school teams - both of which have been schooled in 'Hurley basketball' - is immense."

Echenique (pronounced etch-ih-NEE-kay), who is ranked among 2009 prospects, is rated as the nation's ninth overall player by ESPN. A five star prospect, he is listed among the top players at his position nationally by virtually every recruiting outlet, including Scout.com (4), Rivals.com (6), Rise Magazine (4), Hoop Scoop (7) and Slam Magazine (4). In the summer of 2007, Echenique led the Venezuela Junior National Team to a second place finish in the South American Championships en route to being named MVP of the tournament. He was invited to attend both the NBA Top 100 Camp and the Amare Stoudemire Nike Skills Camp this upcoming summer.

MITCHELL

Mitchell (6-7, 243), who played the last two seasons at Florida, competed in 35 games (one start) this past season and shot 50 percent (44-88) from the field. As a freshman in 2006-07, he played in 30 contests to help the Gators capture their second consecutive national championship. Mitchell arrived in Gainesville after playing under head coach Bob Cimmino at Mount Vernon (N.Y.) High School, where he helped the Knights to consecutive state titles and was named the Empire State's "Mr. Basketball" as a senior.

"J-Mitch is a skilled forward who has been extremely well coached at both the high school and collegiate levels," said Hill. "He brings experience, a remarkable work ethic and a well-developed, inside-out game. Simply put, he is a winner. He's also the type of individual, both on and off the court, we want in our program."

Mitchell will be able to participate in all team functions with the Scarlet Knights in 2008-09, but will be unable to compete in games under NCAA transfer guidelines. A high school teammate of current RU guard Mike Coburn, Mitchell graduated Mount Vernon as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,778 points, surpassing current Chicago Bull Ben Gordon to set the mark. MVHS has produced numerous NBA players over the last 30 years, including Gordon, Gus Williams, Ray Williams, Earl Tatum, Rodney McCray and Scooter McCray.