The Chico State men’s basketball program hopes it’s cooking up something special with the signing of Drew Kitchens. The 2011 San Diego Section Division I Player of the Year and Cal-Hi Sports Division I All-State Team selection has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Wildcats program.

Kitchens is a 6-foot-5 guard from La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad where he averaged 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while leading the Mavericks to a 29-5 record and the San Diego Section Division I title. The Mavericks’ season came to an end in the Southern Regional quarterfinals, but they finished the season ranked No. 15 in the state.

“Drew is one of San Diego’s premier high school players and we are excited that he’s joining us,” said Chico State Head Coach Greg Clink. “He comes from a great high school program and received great coaching from David Cassaw and assistant Brian Faulstich, a former Wildcat. Drew is very athletic and can score in a variety of ways. He is also an excellent student, so we are all very excited about Drew and the impact he’s going to have on our program.”

Kitchens shot 50-percent from the field, including 46-percent (109-for-239) from beyond the arc, over his last two varsity seasons. Perhaps he got a few shooting pointers from Faulstich, who played for at Chico State from 2002-04 and still ranks second in school history in 3-point percentage and free throw percentage.

Kitchens joins early signees Connor McGrath and Chris Magalotti and Azusa Pacific transfer James Staniland in the Wildcats’ 2010-11 recruiting class.

CLICK HERE for more on McGrath and Magalotti.

CLICK HERE for more on Staniland.