Valparaiso University men's basketball coach Homer Drew announced that Vincent Humphrey, of Fenwick High School in Chicago, has signed a national letter of intent to attend VU and play basketball.

Humphrey, a 6'4", 200-pound guard-forward, was selected as the Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year in 2003-04. A Second Team All-State selection as a junior and senior, Humphrey is a three-time First Team All-Catholic League player. During his four-year career, Fenwick captured three league championships and owned a .750 winning percentage. Humphrey was heavily recruited by numerous Division I schools.

?We are thrilled that Vince decided to come to VU," Drew said. ?He has strong character and comes from a wonderful family. Vince is a leader and has been well coached. He possesses all of the fundamentals of being able to shoot, pass, play defense and rebound."

In his senior year, Humphrey led Fenwick to a 21-7 record and Catholic League title. Humphrey averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game. The team's captain, he proved to be a standout in league play, leading the Catholic League in scoring with 20.3 ppg. Fenwick advanced to the Lyons Sectional Finals. Humphrey scored a season-high 29 points against Loyola Academy.

?Vince is Valpo's kind of player and student," Fenwick head coach John Quinn said. ? He is talented on both ends of the floor as he can play the post, step out and shoot the three, take it to the basket and provide great defense."

Fenwick's second all-time leading scorer (behind Corey Maggette of the Los Angeles Clippers), Humphrey netted 1,584 career points. As a junior, he averaged 21.7 ppg., 4.7 rpg., 2.3 apg., and 2.5 spg. as Fenwick compiled a 22-5 mark and a league title. His best games included a career-high 33-point performance against Von Steuben when he was 17-for-17 from the free throw line, and a 31-point effort against Brother Rice.

As a sophomore, he averaged 16.0 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in helping Fenwick to a 21-5 record and league championship. Humphrey played significant minutes as a freshman, earning a starting position in the second half of the season. During his four-year career, Fenwick produced a 41-14 mark in Catholic League games.

Humphrey has been an extremely effective free throw shooter, draining 82 percent (467 for 572) from the charity stripe, including 90 percent in the fourth quarter over his career.

?He's the best pressure free throw shooter I've seen in my 24-year coaching career," Quinn said.

?I've never been more confident about a person making the successful transition from high school to college than I am with Vince."

A Mr. Basketball and McDonald's All-American nominee, Humphrey will play for the North Team in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) All-Star Game on June 26 in Bloomington, Ill.

Humphrey joins Jarryd Loyd, a 5'11" point guard from Niles West High School in Skokie, Ill., and Aris Williams, a 6'9" forward from Georgetown Preparatory School in Washington D.C., as members of the 2004 recruiting class.