Villanova Basketball freshmen are impressing at USA Basketball U19 Training Camp

Happy Monday Nova Nation! Just as quickly as Villanova Basketball got its freshman class on campus, more than half the class is back on the road. Specifically, they’re at the USA Basketball Under 19 Training Camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Saturday kicked off a four day even in which the 33 players will try out for just 12 spots on the U19 Team. The finalists will be announced tomorrow, and the final roster will then be selected over the next week before the team flys to Greece to participate in the FIBA U19 World Cup.

Representing Villanova at the tryouts are Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Eric Dixon, and Justin Moore. It’s an honor just to be asked to try out, and would be a fantastic experience were any or all of them selected. Wright actually spoke with Dixon and Moore about the invite on the latest episode of Talking Villanova Basketball with Jay Wright.

The odds would say that one of these three will make the team. They would be the first Wildcat on the roster since 2015 when Jalen Brunson led that squad to gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup. But no pressure on the young guys!

Best of luck to all of our guys out there in Colorado, we’re pulling for you!

In other “news”, Josh Hart is in the market for a good beignet place, Phil Booth’s name is popping up in workouts and late round draft talks, and the latest in the epic battle of Radnor vs. Villanova trying to change a freakin’ light bulb. Enjoy!

USA U19 Training Camp

USA Men's U19 Training Camp: Father's Day Feature | USAB
Participants in the 2019 USA Men’s U19 World Cup Team training camp talk about the influence of their fathers in their lives. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is featured.

Paul Klee: From Evan Mobley to Jalen Suggs, USA Basketball prospects are going places | Sports Coverage | gazette.com
Three of Villanova’s freshman are trying out for the USA U19 team: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Eric Dixon, and Justin Moore.

Villanova Basketball

Talking Villanova Basketball with Jay Wright Podcast - Episode 9 of Talking Villanova Basketball Podcast | PodBean
Jay Wright sits down with freshmen Eric Dixon and Justin Moore to get their thoughts on their first few days at Villanova.

The top power forwards in college basketball for 2019-20 | 247 Sports
Which power forwards will stand out among the nation's best this year? Jeremiah Robinson-Earl comes in at #21.

The best small forwards in college basketball for 2019-20 | 247 Sports
The best small forwards in college basketball could come out of nowhere. Saddiq Bey comes in at #16.

Recruiting

Stepinac's Adrian Griffin Jr., R.J. Davis pick up big-time college offers | LoHud
Duke, Kansas, UCLA, Villanova, Michigan and Vanderbilt are now involved with the two Stepinac stars.

Marquette Basketball Made Three Class Of 2021 Scholarship Offers | Anonymous Eagle
The Golden Eagles and the Wildcats have their sights set on a few of the same players this recruiting cycle.

NBA Top 100: Top 10 Performers | 247 Sports
The NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp was a spot for a lot of top talent. Here is a look at 10 performers who stood out through the three days of camp.

2019 NBA Draft

Villanova Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of power forward Eric Paschall | Busting Brackets
Eric Paschall could be a potential steal at the power forward position. Who'll bring in the Villanova Basketball product on the night of the 2019 NBA Draft?

The Jazz have narrowed their list, but there’s still no telling what they’ll do on draft night | The Salt Lake Tribune
Other potential first-rounders who’ve made their way to ZBBC include Virginia guard Ty Jerome, Tennessee wing and aspiring “junkyard dog” Admiral Schofield, and Villanova big man (and Donovan Mitchell bestie) Eric Paschall.

NBA draft: Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes top best bigs available | SI.com
Who is the best forward in the 2019 NBA draft? The Front Office breaks down the best 20 big players available.

1 NBA Draft Prospect Every Team Must Avoid | Bleacher Report
The 2019 NBA draft feels right up Kevin Garnett 's alley. Anything is possible. OK, maybe not anything. For some crazy reason they think Eric Paschall is a bad idea for the Clippers at #48.

NBA Draft: New York Knicks Second-Round Targets | The Knicks Wall
The Knicks have hit in recent years with Damyean Dotson and Mitchell Robinson in the second round of the draft, but with the sixth-to-last pick they'll be presented with a difficult choice. Phil Booth could be an option.

Kyle Lowry

Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry adds NBA championship to his North Philly legacy | Philadelphia Inquirer
The Cardinal Dougherty and Villanova product added a top line for his resume. He's the most accomplished Big 5 player as a pro in a quarter century.

NBA Finals: Villanova University celebrates Kyle Lowry's NBA Championship victory with Toronto Raptors win over Golden State Warriors | 6abc.com
Villanova University is celebrating because one of their own is an NBA Champion.

Kyle Lowry's journey from 'uncoachable' backup to NBA champion | Sportsnet.ca
It took time and it wasn’t an easy process, but Kyle Lowry is now an NBA champion. Turns out everyone just needed to trust him.

Jay Wright, Villanova congratulate Kyle Lowry on NBA title with Raptors | PhillyVoice
Former Villanova star Kyle Lowry won his first NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, earning congratulations from his Philly-area alma mater.

The vindication of Kyle Lowry, as KLOE gets to shine on championship stage: ‘It’s been a long time coming’ | The Athletic
Never was Lowry's value more obvious than when it mattered most, in a clinching game of the NBA Finals.

Kyle Lowry goes from better to best in leading Raptors to first title | The Star
The point guard feels he keeps getting better, and he might be might be understating things. He deserves credit as the player with the best Raptors career.

Kyle Lowry’s NBA Playoffs vindication, as a work of Shakespeare | SBNation.com
"I’ve come to praise Kyle Lowry, not to slander him."

'I'm a Champion': Kyle Lowry Silences His Critics | SLAM
Kyle Lowry reached the pinnacle of his sport Thursday night in Oakland, helping lead the Raptors to their first NBA title in franchise history.

NBA Wildcats

Josh Hart Says Screw The Injuries, Toronto Deserved Victory | TMZ.com
Josh Hart Says The Raptors Deserved NBA Finals Victory, Despite Warrior Injuries.

Anthony Davis trade to Lakers gives Silver Spring's Josh Hart fresh start with Pelicans | NBC Sports Washington
Josh Hart, a DMV native, stands to benefit from the trade that sent him to New Orleans in a package for Anthony Davis.

Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart seem happy with trade; Twitter blows up over deal | ProBasketballTalk
NBA Twitter was pretty much waiting for this.

1 Flaw Every Top 2018 NBA Rookie Needs to Address This Offseason | Bleacher Report
For the second season in a row, the NBA boasted a deep rookie class with talent at every position. The 2018-19 crop of rookies featured 15 who played at least 1,000 minutes and had an above-replacement player box plus-minus ...

Villanova Adjacent

Divided board OKs new lights for Villanova stadium |delcotimes.com
Near the end of a lengthy and contentious meeting that lasted until the early morning Tuesday, the Radnor Board of Commissioners voted 2-3 to approve an agreement with Villanova University regarding its stadium lights, obviating the need to bring the issue to the Zoning Hearing Board next week.

College Basketball

Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari’s job performance | Lexington Herald Leader
The Wildcats are 270-84 the past decade. Not long ago, Villanova was a tournament underachiever. From 2010 through 2015, they won a total of three NCAA games. Failed to reach the tourney in 2012. Then the Wildcats won the 2016 national title. They cut down the nets again in 2018. Boom or bust.