Cheek to choose Villanova

At 6-foot-6, Dominic Cheek is a little tall for a typical Villanova guard, but the St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) star is expected to announce his decision to play for the Wildcats next season Friday evening, SI.com has learned.

Having narrowed his list of prospective schools to Kansas and Villanova, Cheek, a wiry shooting guard with a deadly three-point shot, has said Villanova's staff was involved with his recruiting process from the start.

In joining Villanova coach Jay Wright's heralded haul, the Jersey City native will enter Villanova next fall with point guard Maalik Wayns, power forward Mouphtaou Yarou (6-8, 235 pounds) and swingman Isaiah Armwood. Through sneaker circuit teams and local all-star games, Cheek grew close with Wayns who, in turn, pushed for Cheek to sign with the Cats. "It seems like a no-brainer if you look at all that they are bringing in," said one source close to Cheek. "Their staff worked hardest from the beginning."

A homebody who attended Midnight Madness events at both Kansas and Villanova, Cheek will play with fellow Jersey products Corey Stokes, who attended St. Benedict's in Newark and Corey Fisher, who starred at St. Patrick in Elizabeth, in the Villanova backcourt. Like Stokes was two years ago, Cheek is expected to be a McDonald's All-American in the spring.

Since the early signing period closed last month, Cheek cannot sign with the Wildcats until next spring.