Villanova-bound duo set for signing day

Neshaminy's Ryan Arcidiacono and Westtown School's Daniel Ochefu, two of the area's most sought-after boys' basketball recruits, are set to officially make Villanova their college destination.

Arcidiacono, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound point guard, and Ochefu, a 6-10, 240-pound forward, are expected to sign binding letters of intent Wednesday, the first day of the one-week November period for most winter- and spring-sports players to sign national letters of intent with NCAA Division I or II schools.

Last season, Arcidiacono, a long-range sharpshooter and terrific ball-handler, averaged 20.4 points and hit 65 three-pointers in helping lead Neshaminy to a 22-7 record and its first trip to the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA semifinals.

Ochefu, a solid rebounder and shot blocker, averaged about 16 points and 12 rebounds as Westtown went 17-10 and qualified for the Friends Schools League playoffs.

Arcidiacono and Ochefu (pronounced oh-CHAY-fu) were ranked 34th and 40th, respectively, in ESPN.com's "Super 60" for the Class of 2012.

For his career, Arcidiacano has totaled 1,498 points, 449 rebounds, 378 assists, 178 steals, and 160 three-pointers. His father, Joe, played football at Villanova.

Born in Baltimore, Ochefu moved with his family to Nigeria when he was 11 and lived there for three years. His parents, Hassan and Elizabeth, are from Nigeria and Cameroon, respectively.

Chestnut Hill Academy's Malik Garner, a 6-5 forward, and Council Rock North point guard Aaron Morgan are both bound for Maryland-Baltimore County.

In girls' basketball, Council Rock South's Alex Wheatley, who averaged an area-best 20.1 points last season, will take her skills to Princeton.

Ciara Andrews, a high-scoring guard from Cheltenham, will play at St. Joseph's. Andrews averaged 19.8 points for the Panthers last season.

Next Wednesday, Neumann-Goretti will have a signing ceremony for four Division I recruits: Derrick Stewart, to Rider for basketball; Jimmy Kerrigan and Joey Gorman, to Temple and St. Joseph's, respectively, for baseball; and 6-2 forward Omowumi Rafiu, who is expected to commit to play hoops at Georgetown or Seton Hall.

Friends' Central standout Amile Jefferson, the area's most prized boys' basketball recruit, has yet to make an oral commitment. The Inquirer's all-Southeastern Pennsylvania player of the year in 2010-11 is scheduled to visit Stanford this weekend.

Also in the running for the services of the 6-8, 190-pounder are North Carolina State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Connecticut, Temple, and Villanova. His trip to Stanford will be his fifth and final official visit.

Kahleah Copper, a quick and high-leaping guard for Prep Charter, is deciding among DePaul, Rutgers, St. John's, and Syracuse. The 6-foot senior, who averaged 17 points last season, might announce her choice Thursday, coach Paul Rieser said.

Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter. Read his blog, "The O'Zone," at www.philly.com/ozone