Villanova Basketball’s All-Time Steals Leaders: 2018 Update

With the 2017-18 season in the books and another National Championship in hand, it’s time to update the Villanova record books. This season three new players have joined the all-time ranks, while Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson cemented themselves as two of the program’s greats. Check in all week as we update a new category each day.

Watching Villanova’s offense score on you must be a deflating experience. Not just because they’ve just put up points, but because you know they’re about to set up their press. And most times the spearhead of that press was none other than Mikal Bridges, a Big East Defensive Player of the Year with a 7’2” wing span. You tell me how someone is supposed to make a clean pass when his only focus is to take away every look you have. Yikes.

Bridges finished his Villanova career with 163 steals, the 15th most in school history. A career high 61 of those steals came in his final season, passing his predecessor Josh Hart in the process. Bridges became just the fourth Villanova player ever to record multiple 60+ steal seasons, joining former greats Kerry Kittles, Garry Massey, and Jonathan Haynes in that distinction.

Looking ahead, Donte DiVincenzo (79) and Phil Booth (68) could reach the 100 steals club next season.