April 13, 1999

Providence, Rhode Island - Providence College basketball coach Tim Welsh announced today that high school standouts Romeo Augustin and Abdul Mills along with junior college player Chris Rogers have signed national letters-of-intent to attend the College for the 1999-2000 school year.

Augustin is a 6-7 swingman from Youngstown Rayen High School in Youngstown, Ohio. He was a First Team All-State selection who averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals in leading Rayen to the Ohio State Regional finals. Augustine is an excellent three-point shooter who averaged 39.3% behind the arc this season.

In announcing Augustin, Welsh said, "Romeo is an athletic wing who can finish well at the hoop and has the potential to be an outstanding defender."

Abdul Mills is a native New Yorker who played last season at Milford Academy in Connecticut. The 6-3 point guard averaged 17 points, 7.5 assists and seven rebounds as the floor general for Milford. A quick, hardnosed player, Mills has excellent defensive skills and should fit in well with the Friars' up-tempo style of play.

Welsh on Mills: "Abdul is a quick penetrating point guard who can create scoring opportunities for his teammates as well as himself. He will fit in well with our up-tempo style."

Chris Rogers comes to Providence after two seasons at Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Rogers is a 6-4 guard who can play either at the point or shooting guard spots. This season, he helped his team to a 26-5 record while averaging 10 points, five rebounds and five assists while shooting over 40% in the three-point category.

Welsh on Rogers: "Chris is a mature guard who can give us quality minutes in the backcourt. His feel for the game and his ability to set up his teammates will be a great asset for us. He is also an excellent perimeter defender."

Augustine, Mills and Rogers join fall signees Mark Jarrell-Wright and David Murray who signed letters-of-intent during the early signing period in November.

Providence will also have 7-2 center Karim Shabazz (Queens, N.Y.) joining the team at the end of the first semester next season. Shabazz transferred to Providence last December from Florida State and is currently enrolled at the College.