Posts for Villanova Category

Omari Spellman Is Leaving For The NBA

Kyle Scott - May 30, 2018

Photo Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

From his Instagram post:

My experience in college has by far. more than anything else in my life, shaped me into the young man I am today. I have met friends that I will cherish forever. Villanova University is a very special place, and it holds an even more special place in my heart. And to my teamma- no to my brothers I will love you guys forever. Coach Wright has helped me mature as a man along with some of the best coaches in the country Kyle Neptune, Ashley Howard, George Halcovage, and Mike Nardi. I will forever appreciate everything done for me. To the Nova Nation, thank you for the support and love I have received as a member of the family and community, that is something that I will cherish forever and I know Villanova is a place I can always call home. And last, but probably the most important to me, is my mother away from home, Arleshia Davidson. We share a love and bond that will never be broken.
In saying this, I would like to announce that I will forgo my final three years of college eligibility and remain in the NBA Draft!
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING NOVA NATION!!!

NBADraft.net currently has Spellman going 26th overall to the Sixers:

Of course, they could also take Donte DiVincenzo or Jalen Brunson to go along with Mikal Bridges in couping two of the four first round draft picks from Villanova.

Donte DiVincenzo Will Remain in the NBA Draft

Kevin Kinkead - May 29, 2018

via Instagram

First reported by Shams Charania and confirmed by DiVincenzo, who posted the following on his Instagram just before three this afternoon:

“I want to thank Nova Nation for an amazing season this year and the unbelievable amount of support throughout. The Villanova Community has done nothing but support and motivate me to become the best player and person I can be. I love everything about college and Villanova including the amazing people from the professors, staff members, and all the fans across the country. I want to thank my teammates and coaches for helping me get to this point. My teammates are my brothers and will share a bond forever. I thank Coach Wright for challenging me day in and day out all while loving me like a son. I would not be in the position I am today if it was not for him and the Villanova Basketball program. After gathering all of the information possible, my decision is to keep my name in the NBA draft and plan to hire an agent. I thank everyone who has helped me reach this decision because it was not easy. I strive to get better as a person and a player everyday, everything that Villanova has instilled in me will allow me to reach all goals I have in mind. Thank you everyone who has supported me and the continuous support going forward. Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat. I love you Nova Nation. \\\///”

Probably the right move. DiVincenzo looked like a natural in the combine video I watched and is now being mocked as a late first-rounder. He had lunch with the Celtics recently, who pick at #27 overall. The Sixers pick at #26 in addition to holding the tenth pick. Kyle would fall over dead if Bryan Colangelo went Bridges/Ragu at 10 and 26.

Villanova teammate Omari Spellman has not yet decided whether he will enter the draft or return to the Wildcats.

Jay Wright and His Dog Make Everything Right with the World

Kyle Scott - May 26, 2018

What a pleasant surprise last night– turning on the Phillies game and immediately being greeted by the two-time National Champion and his dog. And what a GOOD DOG it is. Behold, love at work:

That dog’s never leaving for the NBA.

Side note: The Phillies had a bark at the park on Friday of Memorial Day Weekend? Aren’t these things usually reserved for Tuesday games April? That’s kind of sad we, as fans, aren’t filling the ballpark right now, because this team is actually fun to watch.

The Celtics Reportedly Met With Donte DiVincenzo

Kevin Kinkead - May 23, 2018

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

From Adam Zagoria at the New York Times:

Hmmm, well DiVincenzo might not even be available at 27. The Villanova star, who was originally just testing the NBA waters, could instead hire an agent and enter the draft. He had an excellent combine and is now viewed as a late first round pick, mocked as high as 18 by CBS Sports (Spurs) and 20 by Sports Illustrated (Wolves). I’ve seen other mocks that have him going 30th (Hawks), 29th (Nets), and 21st (Utah).

He’ll have until May 30th to decide whether he’s in or out, but if he projects to go in the first round, I can’t imagine a Villanova return.

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Crossing Broadcast: Interviews, Internet, Water Slides

JoyOnBroad - May 22, 2018

Kyle and Russ discuss:

  • Our schedule (0:00)
  • Getting interviewed (6:00)
  • Xfinity vs. Fios (16:00)
  • Phillies Ticket Giveaway from AmeriGas (21:00)
  • WWE deal with FOX (27:00)
  • Michael Rubin and Joel Embiid (31:00)
  • Bob Ford on “building organically” (42:00)
  • BOS/CLE vs. GS/HOU (49:00)

Audio after the jump:

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Crossing Broadcast: Meet the President, Draft Prospects, Sports Betting

JoyOnBroad - May 18, 2018

Kyle and Russ talk about:

  • Russ getting interviewed on Cheddar Network (0:30)
  • Eagles to the White House? (4:00)
  • Covington has surgery (9:00)
  • Donte DiVincenzo (10:30)
  • Omari Spellman’s draft prospect (14:00)
  • Drafting for high ceiling vs. sound prospect (23:00)
  • How streaming delays could affect placing bets (27:00)
  • Could live sports betting bring younger fans to baseball? (34:00)

Audio after the jump:

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Crossing Broadcast: Adding a Star, Video Games in MLB, Sports Gambling

JoyOnBroad - May 16, 2018

Kyle and Russ discuss:

  • Sixers thoughts (1:00)
  • Lottery results and looking forward (2:30)
  • Mikal Bridges at #10? (3:30)
  • Sixers/Celtics future (5:30)
  • Adding LeBron/Kawhi/PG13 (10:00)
  • Fortnite and MLB (19:00)
  • Sports gambling (25:00)

Audio after the jump:

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Donte DiVincenzo Will Enter The NBA Draft

Kyle Scott - April 19, 2018

Me, on March 17:

As noted previously, I was laughed at, scorned, mocked and derided for my superior take. Russ told me I was being ridiculous.

Villanova, today:

Gulp. If DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman leave, there’s a real possibility Villanova will only be a top 10 team next year. I’m not even sure how to deal with this.

I wrote at length about DiVincenzo’s draft prospects earlier this month. My guess is he comes back for another year. He would be able to play himself into a high first round pick and be a candidate for All-American.

That said, NBADraft.net currently has four Villanova players going in the first round:

That is astounding. Omari Spellman would be the perfect, er, spell for Embiid, too, seeing as though he can step outside and hit the three. Regardless, this is early days and it’s quite possible that both Spellman and DiVincenzo return for another season and National Championship, but this is quite the list.