Valparaiso University men's basketball coach Homer Drew announced today that Bryan Bouchie has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Crusader program beginning with the 2007-2008 season.

?We are very pleased to have Bouchie join our Valparaiso University family," said Drew. ?He comes from a very basketball-minded household."

Bouchie, whose father, Steve, was named Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 1979, comes to Valpo from Washington H.S. in Washington, Ind. The 6'10", 225 lb. power forward was a starter for the Hatchets in 2004-05 as a sophomore, when Washington captured the Indiana Class 3A state championship.

Last season, Bouchie averaged 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as the only returning starter from the previous year's squad. He helped lead the Hatchets to an 18-6 record and a sectional championship as a junior.

?Bryan is a very versatile player," said Drew. ?He can shoot the 3-pointer or post players up, and is also very fundamentally sound. We expect Bryan to be an integral part of the next four years of Valpo basketball."