Former Wildcats speak to how Villanova Basketball prepared them for the NBA

Happy Tuesday Nova Nation! It’s media day season around the NBA, and a number of former Wildcats have used their time with the media to reflect on how their time at Villanova has prepared them for their NBA careers.

Both Eric Paschall (above) and Josh Hart (article below) spoke highly of Jay Wright and Villanova in their time with the media yesterday. Paschall explained how Wright helped emphasize finding a “niche” on the team, knowing how to be a contributor without needing to score. He also emphasized the importance of culture, something crucial for both Villanova and the Golden State Warriors.

Josh Hart was asked about having been a four year player, and if he though that benefited him and prepared him for the league. Hart said it’s not for everyone, but that he was in a special program at Villanova. They focused on improving him as a person, not just a basketball player. He credited that development to his success on and off the court professionally, and said the time there goes by quicker than you know. He also encouraged players that have the option of staying in a program like that to hold onto it as long as you can, or at least until the opportunity to get drafted high enough is too great to pass up.

These are just two examples of what many players have said about Wright and Villanova Basketball. Not only is this great for potential recruits to hear, but it also reflects a lot of what the alumni think about their own time at Villanova. I’ll never grow tired of hearing how Jay Wright puts the person first, and the player second. And I also can’t wait to see how that results in success for these players at the NBA level!

In other “news”, Omari Spellman has dropped 40 pounds, Villanova Football breaks into the Top 5, and the Fair Pay to Play Act is signed into law. Enjoy!

Villanova Basketball

College Basketball 2019-2020 Preseason Top 25 | NBC Sports
The only preseason top 25 that you need to pay attention to.

College Basketball 2019-2020 Preseason Top 25 | Yahoo! Sports
"Maybe I’m overvaluing Villanova again because they’re Villanova, but I am quite bullish on them once again." The Wildcats crack the Top 5.

Big 5

Legendary Big 5 basketball coach Fran Dunphy on leadership, legacy and learning in the True Philadelphia Podcast | 6abc.com
Fran Dunphy spent 48 years coaching basketball at the collegiate and high school level: Temple, Penn, LaSalle, Malvern Prep, Army, American. What was the most important game he ever coached? As it turns out, Dunphy says it was the worst loss of his career

Big East

Seton Hall basketball: 11 questions for head coach Kevin Willard | APP
Most improved player? Impressions of the newcomers? Here are the most pressing preseason questions we have for Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard.

UConn men’s notebook: Dan Hurley managing the ‘learning curve’ for his talented freshmen | Hartford Courant
News and notes from UConn men's first official practice: Coach Dan Hurley has work to do to bring his talent incoming freshman up to speed. "I know how this process works," he says.

2019-20 NCAA Preview: Top-10 Big East Players | Def Pen
Def Pen continues its 2019-20 NCAA preview series with a focus on the Big East. The conference underachieved last season and looks to improve in 2019-2020

NBA Wildcats

Warriors big man Omari Spellman has lost 40 pounds since summer league | NBCS Bay Area
Warriors big man Omari Spellman was extremely honest about his hope to continue losing weight as he looks to be in better shape this season.

Omari Spellman: ‘Straight off, I cried. It hurt me’ when ATL traded me | Warriors Wire
New Warriors center Omari Spellman spoke at the team's Media Day about his weight loss, his trade from the Hawks and his role with the team.

WATCH: Josh Hart roasts Lonzo Ball during Pelicans Media Day | Lonzo Wire
Before ending his Media Day press conference, Josh Hart threw a subtle jab at Lonzo Ball after being asked a hypothetical question.

2019 Pelicans Media Day: Josh Hart | New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans guard Josh Hart talks about his teammates and the upcoming NBA season during Pelicans Media Day 2019.

Villanova Football

Football Championship Subdivision News Story - Montana State, Montana rise in STATS FCS Top 25 | FCS Football
The Villanova Wildcats now sit at #5 in the country.

FCS Football Rankings - FCS Coaches Poll | NCAA.com
Villanova is up to #8 in the coaches poll.

NFL Wildcats

Texans to work out ex-Rams OL Brandon Hitner | Houston Chronicle
The Texans are set to work out former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Brandon Hitner on Tuesday, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.

Report: Texans set to workout offensive lineman Brandon Hitner | Texans Wire
Following an injury to Zach Fulton, the Houston Texans are working out offensive lineman Brandon Hitner.

Villanova Athletics

McInroy and Gartner Earn BIG EAST Weekly Honors | Villanova University Athletics
New York, N.Y. Sophomore Brice McInroy and graduate student Rebecca Gartner both were named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after both helping the Wildcats open

Wildcats In Fifth After 36 Holes of Wildcat Invitational | Villanova University Athletics
Malvern, Pa. – Villanova is in fifth place at 9-over after one day and 36 holes of the Wildcat Invitational at the par-71 White Manor Country Club. The Wildcats

Villanova Adjacent

Where things stand with Alabama NCAA waiver request for Jahvon Quinerly | al.com
“Everything is submitted. We’re just waiting on the NCAA."

James Gillespie, Collin’s big brother, is putting up big numbers as Widener’s star receiver | The Inquirer
“Me and my brother are the most competitive siblings in the entire world,’’ James Gillespie said.

College Basketball

The 'Fair Pay to Play Act' explained | Watch ESPN
Watch the The 'Fair Pay to Play Act' explained video on WatchESPN.

Newsom signs bill to allow college athletes to take endorsement deals | Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a high-profile bill that would allow college athletes to earn money, despite NCAA objections.

2018-19 College Basketball Expert Picks | NBC Sports
The NBC experts get their picks on the record.

California’s bill to pay NCAA players, explained | SBNation.com
California just passed a landmark bill, but this battle isn’t over.

College basketball's best players of the decade: Third team | SI.com
As SI looks back at the decade that was in college basketball, who cracked our All-Decade Third Team?

California governor signs law allowing college athletes to be paid for name, image and likeness as NCAA protests | CBSSports.com
College athletes attending California universities will be able to do endorsements and hire agents