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Quick reminder: the 2014 board will occur on the first weekday of the month, and the 2015 board will be posted on roughly the 15th of the month. We're moving to monthly editions because we're going to be posting more articles as recruiting news occurs. In case you missed it, here is the July edition
As you're all hopefully aware, we opened the books on 2014 on June 19th with the commitment of wing Mikal Bridges. At the close of the July live period, guard Phil Booth also committed to Villanova.
Also thanks to Mike, we've got a nice graphic of the roster outlook, so you can get a good feel for how the next few years will play out. In this cycle, we've still got a maximum of 2 scholarships open (assuming no transfers and NBA early entries).
Point Guards
Ryan Arcidiacono and Dylan Ennis will have 2 years of eligibility remaining, and with the commitment of guard Phil Booth, it looks like Villanova is done recruiting the backcourt for 2014.
| Target | Hometown (HS & AAU) | Height/Weight | Recruiting Profiles | Also Considering | Trending |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Booth |
Baltimore, MD (Mount St. Joseph & Team Takeover) |
6'3", 170 lbs. |
|
Booth made his pledge to Villanova at the close of the July period. The versatile guard gives 'Nova an option at both the 1 and 2, and is a seasoned defender and shooter. Jay Wright is getting a lot in Phil Booth, which makes it easy to understand why he looks to be the only backcourt player taken in this class. |
|
| Ja'Quan Newton |
Philadelphia, PA (Neumann-Goretti & Team Final |
6'3" 180 lbs. |
|
Shortly following Booth's commitment, Newton trimmed his list to six - and Villanova didn't survive. A shame, but it appears there was one spot available and Booth got it. |
|
| Shep Garner |
Philadelphia, PA (Roman Catholic & Team Final) |
6'2", 170 lbs. |
|
Always a plan B for 'Nova, Garner committed to Penn State back in mid-June. |
Shooting Guards
As mentioned, Jay Wright looks set in the backcourt for 2014, and will turn his attention to the frontcourt.
| Target | Hometown (HS) | Height/Weight | Recruiting Profiles | Also Considering | Trending |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Johnson |
Chesterfield, VA (Benedictine & Boo Williams) |
6'3", 180 lbs. |
|
Jay Wright was in early on Johnson before he blew up during the July live period, picking up offers from Indiana and UNC along the way. Johnson just trimmed his list to 7, and 'Nova didn't survive. Phil Booth played a part here. |
|
| Julian Richardson |
Woodland Hills, CA (El Camino Real & Cal Supreme) |
6'2", 175 lbs. |
|
Richardson was somewhat surprisingly offered by Villanova following the Nike Peach Jam. Known as a shooter, Richardson could be someone Wright looks at if there is a scholarship available late in the cycle. |
|
| Khadeen Carrington |
Brooklyn, NY (Bishop Loughlin & NY Lightning) |
6'3", 180 lbs. |
|
Carrington previously said he could see himself following in JayVaughn Pinkston's footsteps to Villanova. However, he looks like he's keen on other schools at the moment, and Villanova appears done in the backcourt anyways. |
|
| Mike Williams |
Brooklyn, NY (Bishop Loughlin & NY Lightning) |
6'2", 180 lbs. |
|
Always a plan B option, Williams committed to Rutgers in early July. |
Small Forwards
Mikal Bridges offers the ability to step out to the 3-point line, and can affect the game on the defensive interior, as seen in these highlights from the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Bridges is only 16 and still growing, but it would be a surprise if Jay Wright took another wing in 2014.
| Target |
Hometown (HS) | Height/Weight | Rankings | Also Considering | Trending |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikal Bridges |
Malvern, PA (Great Valley & Team Final) |
6'6", 180 lbs. |
|
Bridges popped for 'Nova on June 25th, calling Villanova his dream school and citing the Jay Wright and the Wildcats' style of play as the deciding factors. |
|
| Marial Shayok |
Ottawa, CAN (Blair Academy & CIA Bounce) |
6'6", 200 lbs. |
|
The buzz on Shayok seems to have cooled from last summer, but Shayok is picking up interest. In early July, Villanova was still reportedly involved but with Booth and Bridges, they'll likely back off. |
|
| Jared Nickens |
Westtown, PA (Westtown School & Sports U) |
6'6", 185 lbs. |
|
A deadly shooter who many readers were clamoring for Jay Wright to pursue, Nickens tore it up at the Mary Kline Classic and then shortly after committed to the Terps. |
Forwards/Centers
Things calmed down a bit when Jay Wright brought in Daryl Reynolds late in 2013, but another big man is needed in this class. Martin Geben is clearly priority A.
| Target | Hometown (HS) | Height/Weight | Recruiting Profiles | Also Considering | Trending |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Geben |
Hagerstown, MD (St. Maria Goretti & Team Takeover) |
6'9", 230 lbs. |
|
In mid-July, Geben announced a top 4 that included Villanova. Jay Wright will be hoping that Phil Booth, his Team Takeover teammate, can help lure him to the Main Line. |
|
| Ben Bentil |
Middletown, DE (St. Andrew's & WE-R-1) |
6'8", 225 lbs. |
|
Things are not looking good with Bentil, as Villanova apparently appeared to view his as a similar player to Mikal Bridges. 'Nova looks like they're out, though Bentil hasn't officially announced a list of schools he's still considering. |
|
| Johnathan Wilkins |
La Porte, IN (La Lumiere School & Spiece Indy Heat) |
6'9", 220 lbs. |
|
'Nova offered Wilkins, whose Dad is a former NBA player, back in March. Wilkins is mostly all defense right now, and would probably be considered a project by most. |
|
| Quadri Moore |
Linden, NJ (Linden & Sports U) |
6'9", 230 lbs. |
|
Moore listed his top six schools, but after an impressive showing at the Reebok Breakout, he could have more suitors. 'Nova will likely take a second look. |
|
| Pascal Chukwu |
Fairfield, CT (Fairfield Prep & CT Basketball Club) |
7'2", 220 lbs. |
|
Chukwu is widely considered to be a Providence lean, with Ed Cooley's former coaching gig at Fairfield probably the reason behind it. He's a bit of project, but as the saying goes, you can't teach height. 'Nova has not offered. |
Anybody you think we should be tracking? Let us know and we'll add them to the board.
Make sure to stay tuned to our dedicated section for 2014 Villanova basketball recruiting where we'll be filing all our big boards along with any other posts that deal with recruiting in the 2013 cycle.
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