NEWARK, Del. -- Four high school standouts have signed National Letters of Intent with the University of Delaware men’s basketball program and will begin playing for the Blue Hens in the 2009-10 season.

Devon Saddler, a 6-2, 185-pound guard from Aberdeen, Md., was an All-Harford County selection during his sophomore and junior seasons. Saddler averaged 18 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals a year ago while leading Aberdeen High School to a 21-3 record. He was also a Maryland 3-A All-State pick during the 2007-08 season.

Keion Palmer, a 6-9, 200-pound forward from Miami, Fla., averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks as a junior. Palmer led South Miami Senior High School to a 25-5 record and a berth in the regional final.

Josh Brinkley, a 6-6, 220-pound forward from Richmond, Va., was a Second Team All-Colonial District selection last season. Brinkley averaged 15.8 points, seven rebounds and three assists as a junior while leading Douglas Freeman High School to a 17-6 record. During the summer Brinkley led the Petersburg Elite AAU team to a victory in the Myrtle Beach Tournament and a top 16 national ranking. This season Brinkley was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Rebel Invitational after averaging 16.6 points and posting 10 blocks in three games.

Malcolm Hawkins, a 6-6, 200-pound guard from Virginia Beach, Va., led Norview High School to a 14-8 record last season. One of the top scorers in the district, Hawkins posted 25 points on the first day of the Curry Tournament against Deep Creek. Hawkins, who competed for the Boo Williams AAU Team over the summer, recorded a double-double earlier this month with 14 points and 13 rebounds against Norcom High School.

“We are very excited about the young people who will be joining us next year,” third-year Delaware head coach Monté Ross said. “They are fine additions to our program athletically, socially, and most important academically. They fit into the mold of where we are trying to take this program.”