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Happy Hump Day Nova Nation! It’s a bittersweet day to be a Wildcat as we say goodbye and best of luck to Donte DiVincenzo. The Big Ragu announced yesterday that he will be remaining in the NBA draft and hiring an agent. His former teammate, Omari Spellman, will announce his decision today. He was on Villanova’s campus yesterday, and while rumors have been swirling there hasn’t been a definitive word one way or the other. Stay tuned.
For those of you that decided to call it an early night after a day of “will they, won’t they” with the NBA Draft, you missed an even bigger story regarding Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations, Bryan Colangelo. In an article released late last night, the exec is accused of using burner twitter accounts to push narratives to the media, criticize his own players, release player medical information, make hints toward internal strategies, and defend every move he makes from trades to the shirts he wears.
While Colangelo has only claimed one of the five accounts, the one that only follows members of the team and media but has never sent anything out, it would appear to be the greatest coincidence in the history of the world if he wasn’t also behind the other four. It’s not a good look for either the man nor the organization he represents.
As for how all of this ties to Villanova? The school has a connection to the 76ers’ Chief Executive Officer and alumnus Scott O’Neil, who according to our own Chris Lane designed the current block “V” while he was a marketing student at the university. Now he and the ownership group of the 76ers will have to decide what to do about last night’s revelations.
In other “news”, Isaiah Stewart is collecting suitors, Shamorie Ponds is coming back, Kevin Rafferty was back in town, and “flex scheduling” is a thing in college basketball now. Enjoy!
The Curious Case of Bryan Colangelo and the Secret Twitter Account | The Ringer
A collection of Twitter accounts that has criticized Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz, disclosed sensitive information, and outlined team strategy shares eye-opening similarities. What does that have to do with the Philadelphia 76ers’ decision-maker?
DiVincenzo to Remain in NBA Draft | Villanova.com
2018 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player Donte DiVincenzo (Wilmington, Del.) will hire an agent and remain in the National Basketball Association Draft, it was announced today.
Syracuse baskeball recruiting target Isaiah Stewart talks trimming list, Duke, USA hoops | Syracuse.com
Stewart, the Rochester native, has grown into a dominating force in AAU basketball.
Shamorie Ponds will return to St. John’s for the 2018-19 season | Big East Coast Bias
Despite flirting with the NBA, Ponds will be back for his junior season in Queens.
Catholic Athletes for Christ comes to Phila., bestows awards | Catholic Philly
Member of the 2016 National Champions, Kevin Rafferty, was a special guest for the ceremony.
Conference USA basketball schedule altered to match best teams late | ESPN
Conference USA has adopted a men's basketball schedule format that will have the league's top teams playing each other at the end of the regular season in hopes of getting more postseason berths.