Villanova announced Monday that they are currently working with the NCAA to complete the eligibility certification process for freshman forward Omari Spellman, a North Royalton, Ohio native who finished up his prep career at St. Thomas More (CT).
“Spellman is presently on athletic scholarship at Villanova and has been cleared to practice with the Wildcats, but is not yet eligible to compete in games,” the school statement read. “The process to certify his eligibility to compete in games is on-going and, as a result, Spellman will accompany the team but not play during the Wildcats’ three-game summer exhibition tour in Spain, which opens on Friday.”
In a best-case scenario for Villanova, the 6-foot-9, 268-pound Spellman will get things worked out with the NCAA and play this season. In a worst-case scenario, he would end up being ineligible and essentially have to redshirt.
Spellman is a sweet-shooting big man who was expected to have an impact right off the bat for the reigning NCAA champions.
“I just want to go in there and help any way I can,” Spellman told SNY.tv in April. “It’s a great program, Coach [Jay] Wright knows what he’s doing and I know he’s going to put me in a position to succeed and I know he’s not going to tell me to do anything that’s going to hurt me or the team, so whatever he sees fit, that’s what I’m gonna do.”
Spellman averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Chancellors (31-7).
“I think Omari Spellman will bring a new dimension to Villanova, having the ability to score on the low block and stretch the defense out to the three-point line,” PSA Cardinals director Terrance “Munch” Williams said in April. “I think it was the perfect fit for Omari coming in to Villanova and having a veteran cast of young men to play with. Jay Wright has been preparing for Omari Spellman to get on campus for the past 365 days. I think Omari will be able to showcase all of his talent, but also be in a winning environment which ultimately every PSA kid needs to strive for.”
It was also announced on Monday that senior forward Darryl Reynolds will not travel to Spain due to a bone bruise in his sternum suffered in practice last week. Wright said he expects Reynolds to resume action later in the month when the team resumes workouts after the start of the fall semester.
