June 3, 2002

TCU head basketball coach Neil Dougherty has announced that 6-6, 210-pound forward Chudi Chinweze from Hightower High School in Houston has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Horned Frogs in the 2002-03 season. Chinweze becomes the first player signed by Dougherty and his coaching staff at TCU.

"We're excited to have Chudi on board," said Dougherty. "He brings a lot of different things to the program. We look forward to working with him over the next several years."

Chinweze, who averaged 19 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, helped Hightower to a 34-4 record this past season and a berth in the Class 5A state semifinals. He earned first-team Class 5A All-Tournament team honors, second-team Class 5A All-State and first-team All-Region honors.

Regarded as a very athletic player, Chinweze was ranked as the 11th best player in the state, according to TexasHoops.com, and was listed among the 100 players in the nation, according to Rivals.com.

Chinweze selected TCU over Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma and Houston.