Villanova Basketball Recruiting: 2019 Big Board

We just took a look at the Villanova Wildcats basketball recruiting board for the 2018 cycle, so let’s have a little fun and do it for 2019 too. This will be the first summer on the highest level of the AAU circuit for a lot of prospects in this class, but the staff has already scouted and offered several of these players.

It’s hard enough to project the scholarship situation for the 2018 class, much less this one two years out, but I think it’s safe to assume that 2019 will target 2-3 players commitments, as usual.

Here's the current scholarship outlook, courtesy of MikeJ.

Remember, these guys have a long way to go. Players committing more than a year ahead of time is extremely rare, and I’m not sure it’s happened recently, if ever, under Jay Wright.

These are the names worth tracking, and we could see some new offers this summer -- but these guys won’t be the primary focus for another year. Keep that in mind when looking at the rankings/ratings. A lot of these players haven’t been scouted by the recruiting analysts yet.

(Editor’s Note: Forgive our non-sexy format. As we continue to build out our new editor, embedding HTML right now is not a good option. Hopefully we’ll be back to our usual format in the future.)

Offers

Andrew Nembhard (Thornhill, ON, CAN) - 5-star PG - #16 Nationally

Villanova offered the Canadian floor general last July. He’s got great size at 6’4” and plays for national powerhouse Monteverde Academy. He’s flown a bit under the radar thus far but expect that to change since he plays on the same team as #1 overall prospect R.J. Barrett.

Bryce Willis (New Rochelle, N.Y.) - 4-star PG - #23 Nationally

Another point guard with great size, Willis was offered by Villanova in September after the staff watched a workout at Iona Prep (N.Y.). Willis fits the bill of what Villanova wants in the backcourt, and he can play on or off the ball and is already known as a good defender.

Bryan Antoine (Eatontown, N.J.) - 5-star CG - #10 Nationally

The first half of Ranney School’s dyanmic duo, Antoine is an advanced scoring guard who already has offers from Villanova, Kansas, Notre Dame, Florida and others. Duke and Kentucky haven’t come calling...yet.

Scottie Lewis (Eatontown, N.J.) - 5-star SG - #5 Nationally

Lewis is a high-flying wing that has scouts gushing about his athleticism every time he takes the court. He has offers from just about everybody sans Duke and Kentucky as well. Villanova has been all over him and Antoine for a while.

Noah Kirkwood (Ottawa, ON, CAN) - Non-Rated SG

Jay Wright reportedly extended an offer to the 6’7” wing in December. Texas, Virginia and Wichita State has already offered as well, so while he may be flying a bit under the radar now that’s likely to change soon.

Prospects To Watch

Cole Anthony (New York, N.Y.) - 5-star PG - #15 Nationally

Anthony was playing at the top level of the EYBL last year alongside Quade Green and Mohamed Bamba for the PSA Cardinals. The son of Greg Anthony, he’s one of the elite playmakers in the class. Anthony has already tripped to ‘Nova, but maybe somewhat surprisingly the ‘Cats have yet to extend an offer.

Aidan Igiehon (Woodmere, N.Y.) - 4-star C - #55 Nationally

The Ireland native has been tracked by the ‘Nova staff for over a year. At 6’10” he’s got ideal size and a great frame to add weight. He’s a gifted athlete that has already drawn coaches from all over the East coast.

Donta Scott (Philadelphia, Pa.) - Non-rated SF

Imhotep was loaded this year with Daron Russell and David Beatty, but it’s Scott that could end up being the best prospect of the group. He’s already 6’6” and is ranked #64 by 247 in their early rankings, so expect the offers to roll in this summer.

Isaiah Wong (Trenton, N.J.) - Non-Rated SG

There’s been a lot of contact between Wong and ‘Nova already. He visited for multiple games this season and the staff has been to Notre Dame High School to watch him workout.

Richard Springs (Brooklyn, N.Y.) - Non-Rated PF

Springs visited ‘Nova for their home game against Creighton late in the season, and attends Bishop Louglin in New York — the same school that produced JayVaughn Pinkston.

Eric Dixon (Abington, Pa.) - Non-Rated PF

Dixon is a bull at 6’6” and 250 pounds -- his body type will remind ‘Nova fans of Pinkston and he plays a similar back-to-the-basket game currently. Not sure he would fit onto the current roster makeup that Jay Wright likes to employ unless he’s going to develop more of a perimeter game.

Naheem McLeod (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) - Non-Rated C

McLeod is already 7-feet tall and right next door to ‘Nova -- worth keeping an eye on.