University of Dayton men's basketball coach Archie Miller has announced the signing of four top high school players to letters of intent on Wednesday.  

They are 6-foot-2 point guard John Crosby from Baltimore, 6-foot-7 Ryan Mikesell from St. Henry, Ohio, 6-8 forward Sam Miller from Washington, D.C. and 6-foot-8 Xeyrius Williams from Huber Heights, Ohio.

"We are really excited to announce the addition of four signees today who will join us next fall. This is group who, individually and collectively, will be great additions to our program," Miller said.  "First of all, they are all terrific guys who will represent this program on-and-off the court in a first- class manner.  They will fit into this University's community right away and will truly embody the term student-athlete.

"From our basketball program's viewpoint, these players all bring great skill and versatility on both ends of the floor. They will really add to our depth, which so important to the way we play. They all love the game, which is a trait you must have to be successful in our program. Personally, I feel it will be one of the best classes around, no matter what conference you are talking about."

The newest Flyers, in order of their verbal commitment to UD, are:

XERYRIUS WILLIAMS
6-Foot-8 Forward -- Huber Heights, Ohio – Wayne High School
A long and athletic forward with a great shooting touch, Xeyrius Williams is one of three Division I all-area players returning to what many feel will be the best high school team in Ohio this season. Williams averaged 11.9 points and 9.8 rebounds as a junior for Wayne High School. He also shot 51 percent from the floor and 48% from three-point range.

Wayne was 21-5 in 2013-14, and advanced to the regional semifinals.

Williams committed to UD in June, while playing during the summer with Al-Ohio Black.

Dayton Coach Archie Miller on Xeyrius Williams
"Xeyrius Williams is one of the first guys we've seen grow up in front of us at Dayton during the recruiting process. He's been with coach Travis Trice the entire time we've been here at UD and Xeyrius' transformation as a player has been incredible. His skill level and size combination is his biggest gift. He is close to 6-9, but he brings a lot of guard skills to the table. This will allow us to move him all over the court and be a matchup nightmare. All that being said, he's a great kid, a great student, and a great teammate which means more than anything in our eyes."


RYAN MIKESELL
6-Foot-7 Forward – St. Henry, Ohio – St. Henry High School

Ryan Mikesell is a two-sport athlete who will also suit up for the Flyer baseball team once the basketball season is over. A versatile basketball player, Mikesell averaged 22 points, nine rebounds and three assists last season for St. Henry High School. He earned first team Division III all-area honors.

Mikesell's Dayton roots run deep. One of his teachers at St. Henry High School, is former Flyer Kurt Huelsman. Huelsman, who is also from St. Henry, started 137 consecutive games at center for UD from 2006-2010.  Two of Mikesell's uncles are Dayton grads, and a third has season tickets.

Mikesell, and his future Flyer teammate Xeyrius Williams, both played together on All-Ohio Black this summer.  He verballed to be a Flyer in early July.

Dayton coach Archie Miller on Ryan Mikesell
"Ryan Mikesell will be one of the all-time favorites here one day," Miller predicted. "He plays a style that everyone relates to – he is very unselfish and makes his teammates better. He's 6-7 and his range on his shot is getting deeper, which is so key to be able to stretch floor. He is a high IQ player and his versatility will add to our depth at more than one position. Our strength program is going to be a huge benefit for him early on, and once his strength catches up to his skill level and basketball mindset, the sky is the limit."


SAM MILLER
6-Foot-8 Forward – Washington, D.C.  – Gonzaga College High School
Sam Miller gives coach Archie Miller (no relation) something a team cannot have enough of, a player with the size to be effective inside, and the skills to be effective outside.

Playing for one of the top schools – Gonzaga College High School -- in one of the top leagues –Washington Catholic Athletic Conference – in the country, Miller battled through injuries to average 12.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocked shots as a junior.  He was named honorable mention all-conference.

Miller chose to attend the University of Dayton in late July.

Dayton coach Archie Miller on Sam Miller
"Sam Miller comes in with the advantage of playing in one of the premier high school basketball leagues in the country", Miller said.  "The basketball environment he is in -- playing at Gonzaga in the DC catholic league -- is such a great proving ground for players. A young man from that situation is more ready to play at the college level than most. Sam's skill set will allow him to play inside and out. Because he is close to 6-9 and a physical player he will have a unique opportunity to play a couple positions in his career. He will allow us to put up to 5 shooters on the floor one day."


JOHN CROSBY
6-Foot-2 Guard – Baltimore, Md. – Baltimore Polytechnic Institute – New Hampton School
A pass-first point guard who has a mature approach on and off the court, John Crosby committed to Dayton in September. A Second Team All-Baltimore Metro choice as a senior at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute last season, Crosby nearly averaged a triple-double in 2013-14. He averaged 20.8 points, 9.6 assists and 8.9 rebounds.

Because he plans on majoring in Chemical Engineering, Crosby decided to spend a post-high school year at New Hampton School. The prep school in New Hampton, New Hampshire is a well-regarded post-graduate institution both academically and athletically. But then the University of Maryland offered Crosby a scholarship in August, giving him a chance to play right away.

However, Crosby stuck to his plan and his commitment to New Hampton, and roughly a month later committed to UD.

Dayton coach Archie Miller on John Crosby
"John Crosby, is a true throwback Baltimore city-point guard," Miller said.  "The first thing that attracted us to him was his toughness.  He's a leader wherever he's been and he's mature beyond his years. This year he will play for Pete Hutchins, who is one of the best prep coaches in the country, and John will get better each day that goes by.  

"Early on most young point guards struggle with the physical demands of the college game.  We feel John is college ready at 6-2, 190 and can have an impact with us immediately.  His ability to push the ball and make people better will really add to our depth in the back court.  Defensively, he will bring a toughness on the ball that can set a tone of how we want to play."

Dayton hosts Alabama A&M Friday night at 7 p.m. ET.