Former Ace to Play Basketball for Villanova University

"Darryl Reynolds '12 will head down Lancaster Ave. to continue his athletic and academic career at Villanova University!!! ... Congratulations and best of luck to Darryl as he takes this exciting next step!!!"

The news came Tuesday afternoon from Aces Basketball on Facebook and Twitter: Reynolds, a key member of Lower Merion High School's 2011-2012 state runner-up team, would be playing his college ball on the Main Line for the Villanova Wildcats.

Before Reynolds made his announcement Tuesday at LMHS, the team site posted the following recap of his career:

Reynolds, a 6'8 forward, helped lead the Aces to the 2012 state finals and an undefeated Central League campaign. A dominant presence in the paint, he averaged 11 points, 8.2 rebounds and an area-best 4.2 blocks per game and boosted those numbers to 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5.3 blocks in the playoffs. He earned All-State and All-Southeastern PA honors and was a first-team All-Central League and first-team All-Main Line selection.

A late bloomer who didn't start playing basketball until high school, Reynolds has improved his game dramatically each year. He garnered several mid-major offers following his impressive senior season and elected to expand his options further with a year of prep school at Worcester Academy (Worcester, MA). Reynolds anchored the front line for a Hilltoppers squad that finished 21-6 in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference, one of the nation's best prep leagues. In the process, his recruiting stock continued to soar. On Tuesday, Reynolds will choose between Seton Hall, South Carolina, Utah and Villanova -- all major Division 1 opportunities.

In addition to his blossoming on-court skills, Reynolds is known for his leadership, work ethic and character. Immediately following this year's state title, the current Aces lined-up one-by-one to embrace Reynolds and implored him to join them in cutting down the nets in a post-game ceremony at Lower Merion.

"I think that's a reflection of the kind of teammate and kind of person that Darryl is," said Aces head coach Gregg Downer. "He's worked hard for this, he has put in a lot of time and effort and he deserves it. Darryl has succeeded at the highest level of high school basketball and I expect him to do the same at the next level."