SEATTLE (Apr. 19) ­ Chris Banchero, a key player for state 3A champion O'Dea High School, has committed to Seattle Pacific University's men's basketball program for next season.

Banchero, 6-foot-1 senior guard, averaged 15.1 points for the Irish, who went 25-5.

He was selected to play in the state all-star game but did not participate due to an injury sustained in the state title game. Banchero was also named second team all-Metro League.

Banchero becomes the third recruit to commit to SPU. Last fall, the Falcons signed Chauncey Campanaro, a 6-6 swingman from Jserra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano (Ca.), and Jeffrey Downs, a 6-foot-4 forward from Bellevue Christian.

Seattle Pacific was 18-10 under Jeff Hironaka last season, winning its second straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and reaching the NCAA Division II tournament for the third year in a row.