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Dominic Cheek officially declared his intention to attend Villanova University on Friday at a press conference in Jersey City, choosing that school over defending NCAA champion Kansas.

The story was first reported by ZagsBlog.com Friday morning.

The 6-foot-5 Cheek recently cut his list from five schools to two, with Villanova of the Big East and Kansas of the Big 12 the surviving pair.

"I want to thank my teammates, my family, my friends and everyone else before I make my announcement," Cheek told reporters. "I will be attending Villanova University."

Cheek then pulled out a Villanova baseball hat with a light blue brim and a dark blue 'V' and put it on.

Asked the primary reason for his decision, Cheek said, "Like I said, loyalty. Villanova was great to me."

Cheek, a first-team All-state selection and the No. 6 shooting guard in the Class of 2009, did not sign during the early signing period last month and won't be able to sign a National Letter of Intent until the late signing period begins next April.

Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer is impressed with Cheek's skills and thinks he'll have a long career in basketball.

"What stands out immediately about Cheek's game is his length as a shooting guard and his shooting ability -- which project at the NBA level," Meyer said for a story that initially appeared on RivalsHigh. "He also is a good run-and-jump athlete, although he does have room to improve laterally as a defender. If he matures as expected physically and mentally, he is a definite NBA talent."

Cheek will join a blockbuster recruiting class for Villanova head coach Jay Wright that includes point guard Maalik Wayns of Philly Roman Catholic and two big men from Montrose (Md.) Christian, 6-8 forward Isaiah Armwood and 6-10 center Mouphtaou Yarou. Recruiting expert Tom Konchalski has called it the best recruiting class in the Big East.

Cheek is close friends with Wayns and teamed with him this summer on the USA U-18 National Team that went to Argentina. Villanova assistant Pat Chambers also traveled to Argentina to watch Cheek.

"That's my boy," Cheek said of Wayns this past summer. "I told him he would be the man, his show," Wayns said of Cheek.

Cheek is also friendly with a number of Nova players, including Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes, who played in New Jersey at St. Patrick and St. Benedict's, respectively. "I played against most of them and I know them," Cheek said. "I've been down there. I talked to them. They told me it's a great fit for me and everything."

Villanova, often referred to as "Guard U," will again be loaded at the guard spot next year with Wayns and Cheek joining Fisher, Stokes, Duke transfer Taylor King and current junior Scottie Reynolds, if he remains. Cheek is not projected as a one-and-done type player and Konchalski, the recruiting expert, says Cheek must get stronger at the college level.

"Dominic, he's a boy physically," Konchalski said. "Lance Stephenson is a man physically. Cheek is a terrific athlete. He really changes ends of the floor without effort. He has a lot of bounce. He can shoot the 3 even though his left hand influences his shot a little bit too much. But he can be a lethal 3-point shooter. He's got to get better playing off the dribble. He's got to get better with his left hand. He's got to put a change of direction in his game. He's got to get a lot stronger physically, and when that happens, he's going to be a terrific, terrific college player and hopefully beyond that."

Three of Cheek's former teammates were at schools among his final five: Travon Woodall (Pitt), Mike Rosario (Rutgers) and Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas). Memphis was also in his final five.

In picking Villanova, he opted not to join any of them, but instead to play relatively close to his home in Jersey City, where his family and friends can watch him play home games and also away games at St. John's, Rutgers and Seton Hall.

As for defending NCAA champion Kansas, the Jayhawks are expected to pursue Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God point guard John Wall and possibly Brooklyn Lincoln's Stephenson. They already missed out on wings Xavier Henry (Memphis) and Michael Snaer (Florida State).

Cheek has missed practices with his St. Anthony team because of tendonitis, but hopes to return in time for the season opener Dec. 19. The Friars finished 32-0 last season to win the New Jersey Tournament of Champions and a mythical national championship.