A Look at the NBA Players Who Came Out of Villanova

A look at some of the best NBA players who came out of Villanova University.

Introduction

The Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball team is currently ranked as the #1 team in the country. They have made it to the NCAA tournament 40 times and have won the National Championship 5 times. Players who have come out of Villanova and gone on to play in the NBA include:

-George Mikan
-Paul Arizin
– Chris Ford
– Alvin Williams
– Kerry Kittles
– Kyle Lowry

Kris Jenkins

Kris Jenkins was one of the best players in college basketball during his time at Villanova. He was a key player on the team that won the NCAA championship in 2016 and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Jenkins is a 6’6″ forward who can play both inside and outside. He is a good shooter, especially from three-point range and is also a good rebounder. He has good size and strength for his position and is a very good athlete.

Jenkins declared for the NBA draft after his junior year and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round. He has played two seasons with the Hornets and is currently averaging 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game

Josh Hart

Josh Hart, who is from Silver Spring, Maryland, is a 6’5” shooting guard who played for Villanova. He was drafted 30th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft In his rookie year, he averaged 7.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game

Jalen Brunson

As a National Champion and 2x NCAA Champion, Jalen Brunson had one of the most decorated collegiate careers in recent memory. The 6’2″ point guard from Stevens Point Wisconsin was a First-team All-American and Big East POY in his junior year. He then went on to be selected in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks

Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges is a small forward for the Phoenix Suns He was drafted by the Sixers in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 10th overall pick and then immediately traded to the Suns. Bridges was born in Philadelphia and played his High School basketball at Great Valley high school in Malvern, Pennsylvania. He played his college basketball at Villanova University. As a junior, he was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead Villanova to a National Championship He declared for the NBA draft after his junior year and is now in his second season with the Suns.

Donte DiVincenzo

Donte DiVincenzo, who played for Villanova University, is an NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks He came out as gay in a 2019 interview with USA Today DiVincenzo is the only active NBA player who is openly gay.

Omari Spellman

Omari Spellman is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played College Basketball for the Villanova Wildcats He was drafted 30th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Hawks.

Spellman was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended St. Benedict Preparatory School in Chicago, where he played high school basketball. As a senior in 2014–15, he averaged 17.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, leading his team to a 25–8 record and a berth in the Class 3A state semifinals. He was named Associated Press Class 3A All-State first team and Chicago Sun-Times All-Area first team.

Eric Paschall

Eric Paschall is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played College Basketball for Villanova University. As a senior in 2018–19, he helped lead the Wildcats to their second NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in three years.

Collin Gillespie

Collin Gillespie a 6’2” guard from Villanova, is one of the latest NBA players to come out of the school. Gillespie, who was undrafted in 2020, signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. He is currently averaging 9.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game for the Sixers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats

Conclusion

The Basketball Program at Villanova has produced a number of professional players over the years, including some who have gone on to have successful NBA careers. In conclusion, it is clear that Villanova is a pipeline for NBA talent.