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Happy Tuesday Nova Nation! Just when you think the hype around summer league is over, they pull us back in! Yesterday, Villanova’s 2018 Championship starting front court of Eric Paschall and Omari Spellman were reunited as Spellman was traded from Atlanta to the Warriors. Granted, it’s still just summer league and neither player has locked up a spot on the team’s roster for the 2020 season. But if they both make the cut, it will be the first time in 30 years that two Villanova players appeared on the same NBA roster.
This actually was a much more common occurrence throughout the 70’s, and again in the late 80’s. The first pairing was in 1970 with Jim Washington and Wali Jones in Philadelphia. Howard Porter and Chris Ford spent nearly four seasons together in Detroit from ‘75-’78. The last Villanova pairing the NBA saw was another reunited Championship duo when Ed Pinckney and Harold Pressley played together in Sacramento during the ‘88 and ‘89 seasons.
There’s certainly still work to do for Paschall and Spellman, but the good news is they’re both in positions of need for the Warriors. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how the rest of their summer progresses. But if they’re anything like what they were in 2018, a lot of Nova fans will be staying up late to watch west coast basketball this season.
In other “news”, Villanova’s team is young, Josh Hart is New Orleans’ new mouthpiece, and Phil Booth is still grinding. Enjoy!
Villanova Basketball
State of the Hoops Program: Villanova is very young, but expectations remain high | The Athletic
Two years after winning the national championship, Villanova's roster is dominated by underclassmen.
Perry named MVP as U.S. U19 team captures gold | timesenterprise.com
Thomasville’s Reggie Perry was named tournament MVP, and the USA men won all seven of its games at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in impressive fashion, including a hard-fought
Recruiting
Vols in final five for five-star SG Jaden Springer | Go Vols 247
Tennessee basketball is one of the top five programs for one of the biggest five-star names in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Five-star shooting guard Jaden Springer cut Villanova from his list on Monday night.
NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest questions concerning 2019 recruiting classes | Busting Brackets
The class of 2019 NCAA Basketball recruiting class has a ton of storylines and intrigue. Here are the 10 burning questions about both the teams and players involved.
Omari Spellman Trade
Journey begins again for Omari Spellman to prove himself | Atlanta Journal Constitution
Omari Spellman has a lot to prove; to himself and to the Hawks.
Warriors trade Damian Jones, draft pick to Hawks for Omari Spellman | NBCS Bay Area
The Dubs have acquired big man Omari Spellman from Atlanta in the deal.
Warriors reportedly trade Damian Jones to Hawks for Omari Spellman | Golden State Of Mind
Golden State is making moves.
Atlanta Hawks trade Omari Spellman to Warriors, acquire Damian Jones | Peachtree Hoops
Another unexpected move.
Former Villanova star Omari Spellman traded from Hawks to Warriors | The Inquirer
Spellman will be reunited with Eric Paschall, who was drafted by Golden State last month.
Warriors news: Golden State trades Damian Jones Hawks Omari Spellman | Clutch Points
The Golden State Warriors have traded their center Damian Jones along with a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for big man Omari Spellman,
Golden State Warriors double-dip on Villanova forwards with Spellman | Section 215
After drafting Eric Paschall 41st overall, the Golden State Warriors double-dipped on Villanova Wildcats by trading Damian Jones for Omari Spellman.
NBA Summer League
Warriors' Jordan Poole, Eric Paschall showing flashes in Summer League | Yahoo! Sports
If you pay close attention to each individual player during Summer League, you can see signs of what they bring to the table.
Phil Booth Knocks Down the Bucket with Defenders in His Face | Cleveland Cavaliers
Phil Booth makes a tough shot from a tough area with defenders in his face during the second quarter.
Cavaliers fall to Celtics at Vegas Summer League | news-herald.com
No. 26 pick Dylan Windler led all scorers with 15 points as the Cavaliers fell to the Celtics, 89-72, at the Las Vegas Summer League July 8.
NBA Wildcats
Eric Paschall is ‘officially a Warrior’ | USA Today
Eric Paschall, the No. 41 overall draft pick, signed his contract today finalizing his commitment to play for the Golden State Warriors.
All signs point to Kyle Lowry's exit | Raptors Republic
The Raptors organization must make a tough but necessary move regarding the talismanic, Kyle Lowry.
Five NBA Players Who Could Still Be Traded This Offseason Besides Russell Westbrook | The Big Lead
The NBA offseason isn't done yet.
NBA Free Agency: Best Players Still Available | SBRpicks.com
Kawhi Leonard agreed to a four-year, $142 million max deal to join the Clippers and DeMarcus Cousins finally found a new team after signing a one-year contract with the Lakers but there are still plenty of quality players available. Dante Cunningham could make a team better.
Josh Hart immediately bought into his future with the Pelicans, paving a way for potential “The Mouth of New Orleans” role | The Bird Writes
Amid the biggest changes to the Pelicans, Hart brings a loud, fun, and energizing voice to the Big Easy — it’s a welcome addition.
Murph: Three takeaways as new era begins in Golden State | KNBR-AM
Was it just back on June 13, less than a month ago, that Steph Curry launched a shot from the left wing that, had it fallen, would have extended the NBA Finals to a Game 7?