Jalen Brunson made Villanova Wildcats fans' dreams come true yesterday, verbally committing to the Big East school after narrowing his choices to the 'Cats and the Illinois. Brunson called for a press conference at high school on Wednesday afternoon just days after completing an official visit to Villanova. The weekend before, he had visited Illinois.
More on Brunson
More on Brunson
Those trips were all Brunson needed to make the decision as he opted to cancel scheduled trips to Temple, Michigan State and Purdue.
"Villanova is a great school, the coaching staff is obviously a big part of my decision and also just the teammates there," Brunson said at the press conference. "The team, great group of guys and I fit in there really well. I think it's the right decision for me."
Brunson will join a backcourt that, barring any further additions or subtractions, will include Ryan Arcidiacono, Dylan Ennis, Josh Hart, Phil Booth and Donte DiVincenzo. That's a lot of talent to compete with, but Brunson knows he will have to come in and work for his minutes like everyone else.
"He compares me to all of his guards," Brunson said of Wright. "He referred to me as Kyle Lowry, Randy Foye, Scottie Reynolds, even his current guard, Ryan Arcidiacono. They have that toughness in them when they come in right away. He's really preached to me how much toughness they have as a core group and come in and be ready to play right away. They need me to make an immediate impact not just on the court but in the locker room."
With Jalen Brunson, Jay Wright looks to have secured yet another talented player to continue the tradition at 'Guard U.'