Jay Wright's return to USA Basketball could yield future benefits

Huuuuuuuump Daaaaaaaay! The big news (to me) yesterday was Jay Wright's appointment as an assistant coach for the USA Select team this summer. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time that Wright has been involved in USA Basketball since 2007. That's a long time for one of the game's best coaches while Coach K, Sean Miller, Kevin Ollie, Jim Boeheim (the list goes on) are seemingly involved every eyar.

There's obvious recruiting benefits to being involved at the youth levels, but being involved at all is a major plus. I'm all for Jay Wright taking the summers off and actually enjoying life, but I'm pretty happy to see him diving back in and getting to work with Gregg Popovich.

Also, how about the USMNT? Just when you think they're dead and we might actually fire Jurgen, they pull that out of their ass.

And now, the "news."

Jay Wright to assist USA Select Team | Philly.com
Villanova coach Jay Wright has been named an assistant coach for the USA Select Team that will practice with the USA national men's basketball team next month in Las Vegas as it prepares for the Rio Olympics. - Joe Juliano, Philadelphia Inquirer

Wildcats to be Honored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Wednesday | Villanova.com
The Official Athletic Site of the Villanova Wildcats - A little more than one week after being honored at the White House, Villanova heads to the state capitol of Pennsylvania on Wednesday to be recognized for its 2016 NCAA national championship.

Prep notes: Rago retires as St. E hoops coach | USA Today High School Sports
Villanova grad moving on after 30 years on Vikings' sideline

President Obama pens heartfelt letter to Villanova legend Rollie Massimino | CBSSports.com
Massimino was too ill to attend the White House ceremony so Obama wrote him a poignant note

CAA Football schedule skips final Laycock-Talley matchup | Richmond Times-Dispatch
The computer that determines CAA Football’s schedule of rotating opponents in league competition spit out an unfortunate twist this year. William & Mary will not face Villanova. The absence deprives football fans of a final meeting of Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock and Wildcats’ coach Andy Talley, who will retire following this season.

Bridgehampton Rower Headed To Villanova | 27east
Samantha Sandler doesn’t quite fit the profile of a Division I collegiate rower, at least when it comes to physical appearance. Many of the best ones are long, tall and muscular, attributes that lend themselves well to propelling a sleek boat through the water at top speed.But the Mercy High School senior, and Bridgehampton resident, has the intangibles that often matter more than any physical gifts—a work ethic and drive to succeed—and that, along with a natural affinity for and talent in the sport have earned her a spot on the Villanova University women’s crew team this fall.

Radnor Villanova CARE Group discusses traffic, sewage, stormwater and a buried stream | Main Line Media News
Radnor Villanova CARE Group discusses traffic, sewage, stormwater and a buried stream - Radnor >> The good news for Radnor residents is that much of the township’s electrical, gas and water infrastructure is being upgraded. The bad news is they will be dealing with detours and traffic jams for the next five to seven years, according to Robert Zienkowski, township manager.

James Anderson: My brief encounter and lasting memory of Ali | fayobserver.com
It was January, 1970, and I was a senior attending Villanova University, which is about 15 miles outside of Philadelphia. Like many college students during that era, I was a campus activist. It was hard not to be one, since many powerful movements were dominating the American landscape: the protests against the Vietnam War, the struggle between the Civil Rights activists and the Black Power advocates, the emerging feminist movement, and the anti-apartheid movement against South African racism.