Taylor head men’s basketball coach Paul Patterson has announced the signing of 6-1 guard Ben Raichel for the 2010-11 season.

“Ben’s skills will fit well with what we do,” Patterson said. “His ability to handle the ball, shoot the ball and play hard defensively will fit right in.”

The Austin, Ind., native led the Eagles in nine different scoring statistical categories as a senior, including 18.5 points per game and an 87.8% clip from the free throw line, the fifth highest percentage in school history.

Raichel, the school’s all-time leader in three pointers made (174), shot 43.6% from long range this season and strung together 34 consecutive games in which he made at least one three, a streak unmatched in the history of the program. His 1,132 points also puts him ninth on the school’s all-time scoring list.

Behind Raichel’s hot hand Austin finished a combined 33-12 in the last two seasons.

A potential pre-med major, the future Trojan will participate in the East-West All-Star Game in Crawfordsville, Ind., on April 17.

“We are excited about Ben joining our team,” Patterson said. “He is certainly the kind of young man we want to represent our university.”

“I chose Taylor because I feel like it’s the best place for me,” Raichel said. “I think we’ll have a great opportunity to do some great things in the tournament and I hope to come in and contribute any way I can.”