Forward Schaen, guard Schafer headline excellent recruiting class for men's basketball

As the three-time "defending champion" in U.S. News and World Report's top national universities, the authorities at Princeton clearly do not take lightly to falling behind the competition. And now, this attitude has infiltrated the university's sports programs.

Sources close to the team have confirmed that men's basketball has landed at least two top national recruits during early decision, with regular decision admissions still upcoming.

Leading the list is six-foot, nine-inch forward Harrison Schaen, a product of Mater Dei High School, a national powerhouse from California.

During Winter Break this year, Schaen appeared on national television, when ESPN broadcast the game between Mater Dei, ranked fourth in the country at the time, and St. Vincent-St. Mary's, the then ninth-ranked team, and home to high school phenom Lebron James. Most basketball experts project James to be the number one pick in this summer's NBA draft.

Schaen, already bound to Princeton through his early admittance, not only has the game but also the well-rounded package to succeed in the Ivy League.

Entrepeneur

Off the court, Schaen has started two companies — an Internet design company and a company featuring his own clothing line.

On the court, Schaen impresses just the same. He has been rated between 50th and 200th nationally, depending on the source. Scouts have been most impressed with Schaen's defense, shooting and versatility as a big man.

His presence should boost Princeton's inside production, opening up more opportunities for easy baskets, and allowing teammates on the perimeter to find more and better open looks.

The other player that should make an immediate impact is 6'0'' point guard Max Schafer. A New Jersey native, Schafer played his high school ball for Neptune High School, a perennial power in the Garden State.

As a floor leader, Schafer has excellent ball handling and vision, along with an above average three-point shot. Although Yale recruited Schafer to the end, Princeton beat out the Elis for this player who has the potential to completely take over a game.

Two other players who have shown great interest in the program may also join the Tigers' ranks.

The first is Brian Elbogen, a 6'7'' forward from San Ramon High School in California. Though not heavily recruited by major programs, Elbogen has been ranked very highly among power forwards in high school. Those familiar with the Princeton program have equated him with Mason Rocca '00, a 6'7'' power forward who, despite not having the softest of hands, led the team with his hard-nosed style of play and awareness on the floor.

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The other player is Luke Owings, a 6'6'' forward out of Washington, D.C.

Versatile

Though Owings played more of a center position at Gonzaga High School, he will no doubt be able to return to a more natural wing position in college and take advantage of his versatility.

Should the Tigers land these recruits with potentially more to come, they will put themselves in a position to move up in the ranks of Division-I basketball.

Still, the Ivy League should remain a tough test for years to come as several schools have also had banner recruiting years. Penn and Yale have already admitted several notable players.