:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59847829/tretta.0.0.jpg)
Happy Friday Nova Nation! It’s been 53 days of “will they, won’t they?” with the NBA Draft decisions of Donte DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman, but there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel. This week we’ve seen a number of players, like Luke Maye of North Carolina and Sagaba Konate of West Virginia, announce that they’re withdrawing from the draft. With the NCAA’s deadline to remove their bids from the draft set for Wednesday, we could find out as soon as this weekend if the two Wildcat stars will return to the Main Line for another season.
The rumor mill for DiVincenzo seems to be leaning pretty hard towards staying in the draft and being picked in the first round. At yesterday’s workout with the Atlanta Hawks, the Big Ragu confirmed that he’ll wrap up his NBA workouts with the Warriors on Sunday, and make a decision on his draft status soon after. For those of you holding out hope that he could return, he was quoted saying, “I’m talking to coach Wright, gathering information where teams see me and where I’m projected. The mock drafts are different than what the GMs think.” Take that as you will.
Spellman, who has also been actively working out for a number of NBA teams, doesn’t have a clear timetable set out like his teammate. But I’d say it’s safe to assume that we’re looking at a similar time frame for his decision. While the rumor mill also has him leaning toward the NBA, it’s more of a 60/40 split than the “certainty” with which pundits are talking about DiVincenzo. The mock drafts that have some weight behind them have Spellman dropping into the early to mid second round, but as Donte said that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t a team out there willing to take him in the first.
We’ve been saying it since April 2nd, so we might as well say it again: We’ll just have to wait and see.
In other “news”, Brunson and Bridges continue workouts, Booth and Cremo should make Villanova great, some Wildcats are advancing in track and field, Nova engineers are using Mario Kart for science, and more. Enjoy!
Hawks draft workout report: Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova
Donte DiVincenzo starred in the 2018 NCAA championship game, when he came off the bench to score 31...
Atlanta Hawks to host Aaron Holiday, Jalen Brunson for pre-NBA Draft workout | Peachtree Hoops
More prospects visiting Atlanta with an eye toward the draft.
Knicks Rumors: New York scouted 2018 NBA Draft prospect Mikal Bridges | Daily Knicks
The New York Knicks sent three high-ranking officials to the Excel agency Pro Day, where they scouted Villanova Wildcats star Mikal Bridges.
Big East Basketball: Five rising stars due for usage increases | Busting Brackets
Big East Basketball is losing a host of top veterans. Here are five players that will make the leap from off-ball weapons to on-ball stars. Villanova's Phil Booth tops the list.
Big East Basketball: 5 incoming transfers ready to make a difference | Busting Brackets
Big East basketball has some incredible transfers coming in for 2018-19 (and beyond). Here is a look at five who are ready to be impactful right away.
College Basketball Futures: Villanova in mix for third title in four years | The Spread
While the odds may be a little high right now, Villanova will still have good odds to win the national championship even if they lose four starters.
NCAA East Preliminary: Women Qualify Three for Quarterfinals | Villanova.com
Action is underway at the NCAA East Preliminary in Tampa, with three Villanova athletes already qualifying for the national quarterfinal round in their respective events in racing on Thursday afternoon. The meet is currently in a weather delay, and the national semifinal round of the 10000 meters is scheduled for a 10:25 p.m. start at the USF Track & Field Stadium.
This student-created 'Mario Kart' mod will have you hyperfocused
Time to pay attention!
Baseball Q&A with St. Augustine junior Cole Vanderslice | Courier Post
St. Augustine's Cole Vanderslice talks about the Diamond Classic and playoffs, how working as the closer last year helped him, cornhole and more. He's already committed to play for Villanova.
Former Temple big man Ron Rollerson, having lost a leg, finds a new sport - Philly
Eventually, only four toes are left on your remaining leg, the one that had been your bad leg your whole hoops career, which included overseas journeys and almost two years with the Harlem Globetrotters and a near-miss trial with the Sixers. You don’t stand for eight months. You blurt out online: “Patiently waiting for my turn on a blessing.” Your basic decency, a trait that was always as noticeable as your massive frame and nimble mind, isn’t always enough. An artificial leg is sometimes the least of your adjustments.