Phil Booth and Eric Paschall to Return for Senior Seasons

Villanova juniors Phil Booth and Eric Paschall will return to the Wildcats for their final season of eligibility in 2018-19, it was announced today.

“Phil and Eric are two of the cornerstone leaders of our team,” stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. “Each of them is widely respected by their teammates, not just for their talent, but for the kind of young men they are. We are thrilled that they will help lead our team again as seniors.”

Booth, a native of Baltimore, Md., served as a team captain alongside Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson in 2017-18 as the Wildcats posted a program record 36 victories on their way to their second NCAA national championship in the last three seasons. The 6-3 guard started 31 of 33 games he appeared in during the ’17-18 campaign, averaging 10.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. His return from a broken bone in his right shooting hand that sidelined him for seven games in January and February helped spark the ‘Cats to an 11-game winning streak to close the campaign.

Paschall, a product of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., came into his own in his second season in a Villanova uniform after transferring from Fordham University in 2015. A starter in all 38 games he appeared in, the forward averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while earning the Philadelphia Big Five Most Improved Player Award. In a 95-79 NCAA Final Four victory over Kansas, the 6-9 forward delivered 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field.