How will Villanova finish off a stellar recruiting class?

When Villanova cut down the nets in 2016, we all surmised that the recruiting bump from the National Championship would come a couple of years down the road. Here we are, and Jay Wright and Co. are heading towards what looks to be one of their best class - at least by the rankings - in nearly a decade.

The classes where Wright has landed multiple Top-100 players (per the 247 Composite):

• 2014 (Phil Booth, Mikal Bridges)
• 2013 (Kris Jenkins, Josh Hart)
• 2012 (Daniel Ochefu, Ryan Arcidiacono)

(Why yes, that’s the foundation of the National Championship team!)

• 2010 (James Bell, JayVaughn Pinkston)
• 2009 (Dominic Cheek, Maalik Wayns, Mouphtaou Yarou, Isaiah Armwood)
• 2007 (Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes)
• 2003 (Mike Nardi, Will Sheridan)
• 2002 (Jason Fraser, Randy Foye, Allan Ray, Curtis Sumpter)

Just twice before has Villanova brought in more than two Top-100 players, and it’s fair to point out that those classes worked out very differently. More highly-ranked talent doesn’t necessarily mean more winning for ‘Nova, though at this point I think Jay has it figured out. He hasn’t missed on his evaluations much lately.

Villanova looks capable of bringing in at least three Top-100 players, if not a fourth. That’s how you (continue to) build title-caliber teams. With two high-level wings on board in Brandon Slater and Cole Swider, the remaining need is for a point guard.

Here are the main targets for Villanova to finish off one of Jay Wright’s best classes.

Kelly Kline | Under Armour

Jahvon Quinerly | 5-star, #20 Nationally | Hackensack, N.J.

Quinerly is coming off of an official visit to Arizona which set the rumor bill ablaze that he had either committed to the West Coast Wildcats or that he was a heavy ‘Zona lean. Villanova appears to have weather that storm and we’ll wait to see how things play out in July and beyond. Villanova has been on Quinerly for more than two years, and if there’s a Plan A it would appear to be him.

Quinerly is undersized which might be an issue in Villanova’s defensive system, but he’s ultra-quick and a fierce competitor. And offensively, he’s by far the best of the bunch if you’re looking for a polished point guard.

Kelly Kline | Under Armour

Elijah Weaver | 4-star, #39 Nationally | Cocoa, Fla.

It’s not often the ‘Cats recruit this far South, but Weaver has been a ‘Nova fan for a long time and the ‘Cats staff appears a big fan of Weaver. He’s got great size and a college-ready body and should be a terror on defense. He likely needs some refinement in his game if he’s going to become a full-time point guard, and his shooting needs work as well.

While he’s spoken highly of Villanova and already visited, Weaver doesn’t appear to be in a rush to make a decision. He’s stated he’s going to trim his list of 12 down to 5 or 6 soon though, so his recruitment is progressing. Would the ‘Cats take both JQ and Weaver? They’re different players, but I think they might opt to move on to 2019 if they land one.

adidas, 247 Sports

David Duke | 4-star, #71 Nationally | Providence, R.I.

Duke is ranked right where Villanova has thrived in the past few years, and he’s ripe for a good program to pick him up and develop into a star. He’s blessed with very good athleticism and has shown great combo-guard skills this year on the adidas circuit.

Providence is thought to lead for Duke’s signature, but Villanova has stayed in this one and Duke always speaks highly of the Wildcats. Duke has publicly stated he’s in no rush to commit or cut his list at this time though. If Wright can’t land Quinerly or Weaver, this would appear to be a good backup plan from a timeline perspective.

adidas, 247 Sports

Cam Reddish | 5-star, #5 Nationally | Norristown, Pa.

Duke, Kentucky and Villanova have been mentioned as the three horses at the head of the pack for Reddish. If you’re thinking the ‘Cats have no chance, you might be right. One-and-done talents like this just don’t come to the Main Line.

But Jay has been on Reddish forever, and he seems content to really wait this out and see where playing time is going to be available. While he’s a prototypical NBA-guard at 6’8”, he can realistically play anywhere 1-4 for Villanova. If there’s some unexpected attrition and/or the ‘Cats can’t land another guard before Reddish decides they could theoretically become really serious players for him.