SJ Sleeper Commits

South Jersey sleeper T.J. DiLeo verbally committed to Temple on Tuesday, joining Philadelphia Public League MVP Andrew “Scootie” Randall in Coach Fran Dunphy’s third recruiting class. DiLeo, a 6-2 guard, didn’t emerge as a serious Division I basketball prospect until recently, but he’s long been considered one of South Jersey’s best athletes in the Class of 2008.

DiLeo picked Temple ahead of a long-standing scholarship offer from Monmouth and recent interest from Penn State and La Salle, where his father, Tony DiLeo, played college ball. Tony DiLeo is the assistant general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers and has worked in the NBA organization for almost 20 years.

Years ago, Tony DiLeo was best known as a master shooting instructor. His son has obviously taken a few notes. T.J. DiLeo averaged 24 points per game this season in leading Cinnaminson High School to a 28-3 finish. He could play point guard or shooting guard at the college level.

DiLeo was lightly recruited until the tail end of his senior year, mostly because he split his time between basketball and soccer. DiLeo was named the 2007 South Jersey Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 24 goals and leading Cinnaminson to the state finals. Prior to basketball season, DiLeo said he was hoping to play soccer and basketball at the college level, but he would be willing to settle for one.

As of now, DiLeo is not planning to play soccer at Temple.

DiLeo will sign with the Owls next month. The spring signing period begins on April 16.