Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Jalen Brunson, one of the top point guards in the Class of 2015, committed to Villanova over in-state Illinois on Wednesday.
Brunson, who grew up in South Jersey but now plays for Lincolnshire (IL) Stevenson, visited Illinois and then Villanova over the past two weekends, and by all accounts the Villanova visit went very well.
Asked at a press conference what he knew about Villanova, Brunson, whose father Rick Brunson played at Temple and was set to be hired as an assistant at Temple before he was charged this summer in a sexual assault, said, “I knew that it was my parents’ rival school… I didn’t like them growing up. I knew they were a really good program, they’ve had a lot of big-time players and good guards.”
He also said Wildcats coach Jay Wright was a factor in his decision and that it’s “my goal” to stay at Villanova all four years.”
Wright Tweeted: “It’s a great day to be a Villanova Wildcat! #novanation”
Brunson won’t take visits originally slated for Temple, Michigan State and Purdue.
When Brunson arrives in 2015, Ryan Arcidiacono will be a senior, meaning Brunson will spend a year learning under his wing.
Villanova has a history of developing point guards, from Mike Nardi and Kyle Lowery to Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Jalen Brunson, one of the top point guards in the Class of 2015, committed to Villanova over in-state Illinois on Wednesday.
Brunson, who grew up in South Jersey but now plays for Lincolnshire (IL) Stevenson, visited Illinois and then Villanova over the past two weekends, and by all accounts the Villanova visit went very well.
Asked at a press conference what he knew about Villanova, Brunson, whose father Rick Brunson played at Temple and was set to be hired as an assistant at Temple before he was charged this summer in a sexual assault, said, “I knew that it was my parents’ rival school… I didn’t like them growing up. I knew they were a really good program, they’ve had a lot of big-time players and good guards.”
He also said Wildcats coach Jay Wright was a factor in his decision and that it’s “my goal” to stay at Villanova all four years.”
Wright Tweeted: “It’s a great day to be a Villanova Wildcat! #novanation”
Brunson won’t take visits originally slated for Temple, Michigan State and Purdue.
When Brunson arrives in 2015, Ryan Arcidiacono will be a senior, meaning Brunson will spend a year learning under his wing.
Villanova has a history of developing point guards, from Mike Nardi and Kyle Lowery to Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher.
