M. Hoops nabs Jersey sports star

While he was choosing schools, Incoming Penn basketball freshman Jeff Schiffner's decision came down to a choice between Penn and Harvard.

But in the end, there was really no contest at all.

"When I came down to visit [Penn] my mind was made up right away," Schiffner said. "I really like the campus a lot and the basketball is exceptional. Definitely one of the things that blew my mind about Penn and the basketball program is the tradition that they have."

Eat that, Harvard.

Schiffner was a three-sport star at Mendham High in North Jersey. A standout in football, basketball and baseball, Schiffner was recently named New Jersey Male Athlete of the Year in a ceremony at the Meadowlands.

"It was quite a surprise and such a huge honor," said Schiffner, who quarterbacked Mendham's football team, pitched and played centerfield in baseball, and was the offensive sparkplug for the school's state champion basketball team.

Schiffner established some early Penn ties through the state basketball tournament.

"[Sophomore Quakers point guard] Dave Klatsky I know from playing against him in the state tournament," Schiffner said. "[Holmdel] beat us both years in the state finals, and we managed to win this year, thanks to his leaving."

At many schools, including Penn, Schiffner was recruited in both football and basketball, but ultimately decided that he only wanted to play one.

"I decided to play just basketball," Schiffner said. "There was never a doubt in my mind that I didn't want to play basketball. I love basketball, so it wasn't a difficult decision in the end."

Schiffner will most likely compete for playing time at the two-guard position with Duane King, a member of last year's stellar recruiting class, and Dan Solomito, who will be a junior next season.

According to Schiffner, Quakers coach Fran Dunphy hasn't said a word about playing time.

"Coach is a real straightforward guy, there were definitely no promises or anything like that," Schiffner said.

Schiffner is excited about playing with Quakers sophomore standouts Ugonna Onyekwe and Klatsky for LB Financial this summer in the Jersey Shore Basketball League.

"I have a lot of respect for all the players [at Penn] right now," Schiffner said.

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