Anthony Drejaj Signs with Billikens Men's Basketball

St. Louis - Saint Louis University head men's basketball coach Brad Soderberg today announced that guard Anthony Drejaj (West Orange, N.J. / Seton Hall Prep) has signed a financial aid agreement to attend the University and play basketball for the Billikens. Drejaj (pronunced Dray' - eh) will have four seasons of eligibility beginning with the 2002-03 academic year.

"Anthony comes from a strong high school program where he was a tough, tenacious performer," Soderberg said. "He has good size and the type of frame to be successful in Conference USA along with the ability to score and defend. He will help raise the intensity level of our entire team with his style of play."

A 6-foot-2, 190-lb. point guard, Drejaj was the top uncommitted senior remaining in New Jersey according to NJ Hoops Newsletter. As a senior, Drejaj averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.5 steals per game. He helped Seton Hall Prep to a 48-7 record over the past two seasons. A sixth-team All-State selection in his senior year, Drejaj was named to NJ Hoops' Top Defender and All-Hustle teams.

Drejaj will be available to fill the gap created by the departure of freshman point guard Randy Pulley (Raleigh, N.C. / Word of God Christian Academy), who has left the program for academic reasons. Pulley is looking at junior colleges as his next option. The freshman averaged 5.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and earned six starting assignments.

"Randy now has a much better understanding of a college student-athlete's responsibilities away from the competitive arena," Soderberg said. "While that learning experience is a setback for our team, we believe that we have the people in place to overcome his departure."

Drejaj joins a recruiting class that includes Israeli forward Izchak Ochanon, forward Justin Johnson (Merrillville, Ind. / Merrillville) and Villanova transfer guard Reggie Bryant (Baltimore, Md. / St. Thomas More).