Villanova redshirt sophomore guard Donte DiVincenzo (Wilmington, Del.) will enter his name into the NBA Draft process but won’t hire an agent, it was announced today.
Phil Booth and Eric Paschall will return to the Wildcats for their senior seasons in 2018-19.
Juniors Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson are signing with agents, while redshirt freshman Omari Spellman will test the draft waters without an agent.
If Spellman and DiVincenzo both return, Villanova could be in the mix for another Final Four.
“They will get drafted if they stay in the draft,” one NBA executive said of Spellman and DiVincenzo. “They both could be drafted higher next year if they return to college.”
In his second full season as a Wildcats guard, DiVincenzo enjoyed a breakout 2017-18 campaign, earning BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year and NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. He averaged 13.4 points and 4.8 rebounds over the course of the campaign and moved into the starting lineup for eight games during Booth’s absence in January and February (broken bone in left hand).
DiVincenzo’s best effort of a 36-4 campaign came in the NCAA Final when he scored 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field to help lead Villanova to a 79-62 victory over Michigan at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
“Donte has consistently improved in his time at Villanova through dedication and a commitment to our core values,” stated Wildcats head coach Jay Wright. “His play this season has created a unique opportunity for him to receive feedback from NBA teams in the draft process. We support Donte fully and our staff will work together with him and his family to help him assess the next step in his basketball career.”
Release via Villanova Athletics
Photo: Getty Images
