The Hofstra Men's Basketball program signed four players to national letters of intent during the NCAA's early signing period, it was announced today by Head Coach Tom Pecora.

The four players include 6-7 forward Paul Bilbo (Oyster Bay, NY/St. Dominic), 6-7 forward David Imes (Brooklyn, NY/Boys & Girls/Winchendon Prep), 6-2 guard Yves Jules (Brooklyn, NY/Canarsie/Winchendon Prep) and 5-8 point guard Chaz Williams (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Ford).

"We are thrilled to welcome all of these young men into the Hofstra Pride Basketball family," said Pecora. "We couldn't be happier that they chose to sign with us."

Bilbo averaged 15 points and nine rebounds last season for St. Dominic High School on Long Island, earning All-Nassau County honors. He helped St. Dominic to a pair of Class AA championships in 2005-06 and 2006-07, as well as a runner-up finish last winter. Over the last two years, St. Dominic has combined for a 37-14 record. Bilbo also played in the Metro Classic on Sunday, Oct. 26, representing the Suburban Boys team against the New York City Boys team.

"Paul's size, his cerebral approach to the game and his tremendous work habits will make him a big part of everything we do during his career," said Pecora.

Imes led the Boys and Girls team to a 25-5 record last winter, including a runner-up finish in the New York Public School Athletic League (PSAL) and a two-seed in the PSAL Tournament. He tallied 16 points and 12 rebounds in a PSAL Tournament win, and tallied 12 points and nine rebounds in the championship game loss. He developed a reputation as one of the top rebounders in the city last year (averaging in double figures), and is currently attending Winchendon Prep School in Massachusetts.

"David is a ferocious rebounder and defender, and his perimeter game continues to blossom," said Pecora. "He will be an exciting addition to our program."

Also playing at Winchendon Prep this winter is Jules, who was a former teammate of current Hofstra sophomore Nathaniel Lester at Canarsie High School in Brooklyn. Jules was an honorable mention All-Brooklyn selection from the New York Daily News and averaged 14 points as a junior while playing alongside Lester, helping Canarsie reach the PSAL semifinals. He was also the MVP of the Queens Jam Christmas Classic last winter, when he scored 26 points.

"Yves' athletic ability and his versatility will allow him to develop into an outstanding combo guard for us in the next four years," said Pecora.

Williams was a first-team All-Brooklyn selection last year, when he averaged 22 points and 11 assists as a junior while leading Bishop Ford to a CHSAA state championship. He had 32 points and 12 assists in the state championship, after scoring 24 of his 30 points in a comeback win in the city title game. He is the sixth-rated recruit in New York City by Rivals.com, and played in the Metro Classic on Oct. 26 for the New York City Boys team (going head-to-head against Bilbo), scoring a game-high 34 points and earning MVP honors.

"Chaz' incredible energy, as well as his leadership and basketball skills, will allow him to be another outstanding New York City point guard," said Pecora.

The four signings will help Hofstra replenish a roster that loses half of its scholarship players at the end of this season.  The Pride has six seniors on the 2008-09 squad (out of 12 scholarship players).