Aug. 10, 2000

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Robert Dill (Isernhagen, Germany/Benjamin School) has committed to the Lafayette College men's basketball program as a member of the College's incoming Class of 2004.

Dill is a 6-9, 200-pound center who hails from Isernhagen, Germany. He played one year of basketball (1999-00) in the United States as an exchange student and showcased his abilities during that season.

At the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, Fla., Dill averaged 9.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game over the 33-game season for head coach Ron Johnson. He also swatted away 120 shots (3.6 bpg) and managed 41 steals on the season. Dill was solid from the field, shooting 58 percent (141-244).

Dill led the Benjamin School to a 24-9 overall record and a berth into the regional finals (Elite 8) of the Florida state tournament, the furthest the program had ever advanced in school history.

"Rob will be a good inside presence for the Lafayette basketball program" said two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year Fran O'Hanlon. "He runs the floor well, can block shots and has a lot of potential."

Lafayette is coming off a school-record 24 wins, its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance and its third consecutive Patriot League regular-season title. The Leopards are 65-24 (.730) overall and 31-5 in Patriot League play over the last three seasons.

O'Hanlon and his staff have already signed five players for the 2000-01 season: Justin DeBerry (Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Catholic), a 6-3 guard who earned All-State honors on the eighth ranked team in the West, Ben Saxton (Walker Valley, N.Y./Pine Bush), a 6-5 wing who led his squad to its first sectional title since 1957, Paul Rorvig (Odessa, Mo./Odessa), a 6-4 guard who is Missouri's all-time leading three-point shooter, Sean Munson (Berryville, Va./Clarke County), a 6-8 forward who earned All-State honors and Mike Farrell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Father Lopez), a 6-9 forward who also earned All-State honors and accumulated over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

Lafayette opens the regular season at Cornell on Nov. 18.