Koko gives sweet taste to next recruiting class

Pasadena, California's Koko Archibong has verbally committed to playing basketball for Fran Dunphy next season. The Penn men's basketball team is currently preparing to win the Ivy League title this season, which begins in two weeks. This week, however, the Quakers received news that should help them remain near the top for the next four seasons. Koko Archibong, a 6'7" swingman from Polytechnic School in Pasadena, Calif., verbally committed to attending Penn this week. He is the second high school senior to verbally commit to the Red and Blue, joining point guard Dave Klatsky from Holmdel High in central New Jersey. Archibong and Klatsky, however, have not been officially accepted to the University. Until a player signs his letter of intent, the Penn coaches are prohibited from commenting on his status. Currently, Archibong is in his senior season at Polytechnic School. A four-year starter, Archibong was named to the All-Prep League second team as a sophomore. Last year, when he averaged 18 points per game, Archibong was named first team All-Prep, as well as honorable mention All-Area and team co-MVP. "We were really good my sophomore year," Polytechnic senior guard Matt Easterlin said. "We had a lot of good players that Koko played with. Then, Koko took over last year." Although Archibong's junior year drew some attention from college coaches, he was not heavily recruited during the season. "Penn was the first school to contact me by letter at the end of the season," Archibong said. It was after the season when Archibong made his name known. During the summer, he competed in the L.A. Rockfist League, a league Archibong says is composed of "95 percent L.A. city players," players who are receiving considerable attention from Division I teams. Archibong's reputation also grew, as he received word of interest from William & Mary, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Rice and Navy, among others. Archibong made official visits to Rice, Harvard, William & Mary and Penn, where he was hosted by Quakers junior guard Michael Jordan. "I liked Penn from the start, but I wanted to see the others too," Archibong said. In the end, however, Archibong's visit to Penn and a visit by coach Fran Dunphy to Pasadena convinced him to join the Quakers. "[Dunphy] thought I'd be an important part of the team and help the three position by adding a little size," Archibong said. Archibong -- along with current Penn freshman Dan Solomito -- should solidify the shooting guard and small forward position in coming years, once Jed Ryan and Matt Langel graduate. While Archibong may have his best moments on the basketball court, he is also a top student at the California prep school. "He is a really good student, so it's cool that he's going to an Ivy League school," Easterlin said. In the next few years, Quakers hoops fans may also find it cool that Archibong goes to their Ivy League school.