The Penn men’s basketball team has added to its 2014 recruiting class in a big way.
Fran Dougherty, a 6-foot-8 senior center for Archbishop Wood in nearby Warminster, Pa., announced yesterday afternoon at a news conference that he will be joining the Red and Blue this fall.
Dougherty, who scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against Philadelphia area powerhouse Roman Catholic, is the first recruit to join the Quakers in the aftermath of Glen Miller’s departure from the program. He will augment a recruiting class that already includes Miles Cartwright, Dau Jok, Casey James, Cameron Gunter and Steve Rennard.
The Daily Pennsylvanian caught up with the 225-pound Dougherty, who is currently sidelined with a stress fracture in his left foot, for a first look.
The Daily Pennsylvanian: What are your strengths on the court?
Fran Dougherty: I bring more of an outside game for a bigger player. I can shoot threes and extend the perimeter game a little bit. I will open things up inside and obviously help with rebounding and defense.
DP: Why did you choose to come to Penn?
FD: The coaches made me feel like they wanted me. I really love the city and being closer to home. I grew up watching the Big 5, so it has been a dream come true.
The Penn tradition is really big and there is a lot of support from alumni. All these made the big picture decision easier.
DP: Can you tell us anything about the recruiting process?
FD: I got close to Glen Miller, and he was the one that offered me the spot on the team. But I’m pretty close with Jerome [Allen], and I have a feeling that he will be here for years to come. After Miller was fired, the coaching staff called every week and continued to show their interest. They tried to make my decision a lot easier.
DP: How did the coaching change affect your decision?
FD: After the coaching change, Princeton, New Hampshire, Lafayette and Stone Hill were calling again and I told them that I was open. I was reconsidering, but the way the [Penn] coaches handled it ultimately made my decision.
DP: Which other schools showed interest?
FD: After the Roman game, New Hampshire offered a scholarship. I had a couple of good games my junior year. Columbia started showing interest … and I continued to get looks into this summer from camps and the AAU. Penn first showed interest during my junior season. It was one of the first Division I schools.
DP: How is the coaching staff treating your injury?
FD: They are telling me to keep my head up. They aren’t too worried. They are telling me to take my time getting back on the court.
DP: How will you contribute to restoring the Penn basketball tradition?
FD: The way that I play and the person that I am. I hope to get [Penn] back to being one of the top contenders in the Ivy League. I know that we have a strong recruiting class, and from talking with the alumni, I know they are really into the basketball tradition.
DP: How do your high school teammates describe you?
FD: I’m definitely a leader in the locker room. We have a bunch of seniors on the team and I’ve been a captain for two years now. We are a family and we hang out off the court. I lead by example.
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