The 6-7, 220-pound Theis is the first spring signee for the 2007-08 recruiting class. He joins Jovon Moses (Brooklyn, N.Y./Genesis One (Miss.) Christian School) who signed an NLI with Duquesne in the fall.
Theis, who will have four years of eligibility, is also rejoining former grade school and Vincentian Academy teammate Jason Duty who was a walk-on guard for the Dukes this season.
"I'm really excited to have David Theis as part of our basketball program at Duquesne University," said Everhart. "He's a great person and great student who has a terrific work ethic. David overcame some obstacles relating to an injury to go on and have a great year at Mercersburg Academy. He has proven to be a very tough-minded young man. On the court he is a good rebounder who runs the floor very well and can really shoot the 3-pointer. He is a versatile player who will fit exceptionally well into our style of play.
"David truly represents what Duquesne University is all about."
Theis was being recruited by a number of Division I schools before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in December of his senior year at Pittsburgh's Vincentian Academy. He then enrolled at Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pa. where he averaged 19.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game this past season under head coach Mark Cubit. Theis, who topped the 30-point mark twice, was named the team's Most Outstanding Player and Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) All-Conference. He hit seven 3-pointers in scoring a season-high 35 points in a game against the University of Pennsylvania JV and added 31 against Martinsburg (W.Va.).
At Vincentian, Theis was a four-year starter who earned spots on both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette WPIAL Class A Fab 5 and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Class A First Team as both a sophomore and junior. He averaged 22.0 points per game as a junior - including a school record 49 in an overtime win over Riverview - and 21.3 ppg. as a senior prior to the knee injury. Theis, who finished his career with 1,473 career points, received interest from Winthrop, Akron and Davidson prior to the injury. He played for current North Hills High School coach Buzz Gabos at Vincentian.
Temple, Richmond and Lehigh showed interest in Theis following his season at Mercersburg.