CHAMPAIGN, Ill . – University of Illinois head coach Brad Underwood announced Wednesday the signing of four-star point guard Andre Curbelo to a national letter of intent on the initial day of the early signing period.

Curbelo helped lead Long Island Lutheran to the 2019 New York State Federation Tournament of Champions Class AA title, LuHi's first-ever Federation championship. He averaged 15.5 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 4 steals during his junior season and was selected as Newsday's All-Long Island Player of the Year.

"We feel that we have signed the best high school guard in the country in ball screen action with the addition of Andre Curbelo," Underwood said. "He is truly one of the best passing guards I have seen in recent years on the recruiting trail. Andre has a great understanding of the game and makes his teammates better with his outstanding vision and basketball IQ."

Ranked as high as the No. 46 player in the Class of 2020 by Rivals, Curbelo was most recently named to USA Today's 25-player 2019-20 All-USA Preseason Team entering his senior year at LuHi.

A native of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Curbelo has also gained international experience with his home country, starring for Puerto Rico in the FIBA U17 and U19 World Cups.

Andre Curbelo

Guard, 6-1, 175
Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
High School / Coach: Long Island Lutheran / John Buck
AAU Program / Coach: NY Jayhawks / Jay David

Notes on Curbelo: Named to USA Today 25-player 2019-20 All-USA Preseason Team … Four-star recruit ranked No. 53 by the recruiting services consensus index, checking in at No. 46 by Rivals, No. 54 by ESPN and No. 55 by 247Sports composite … Ranked the No. 8 point guard by Rivals, No. 9 by 247Sports composite, and No. 10 by ESPN … Averaged 15.5 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 4 steals as a high school junior … Helped lead Long Island Lutheran to a 25-2 overall record, 18-0 against in-state competition, and the 2019 New York State Federation Tournament of Champions Class AA title … Named NYS Federation Tournament MVP with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals in title-game victory over Christ the King … Newsday All-Long Island Player of the Year … Played for Team World at the 2019 Nike Hoop Summit … Played for Puerto Rico's National Team that competed in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists … Also played for Puerto Rico in the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, earning a spot on the All-Star Five after averaging 13.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.9 steals while helping lead Puerto Rico to a bronze medal.