Villanova Basketball 2019 Player Recap: Tim Delaney

The Breakdown

The 2017-18 Villanova Wildcats squad was--without a doubt--one of the most dominant college basketball teams in history. With that, Tim Delaney was able to receive many opportunities to play, appearing in 22 games.

This past season, with a younger team and not many lopsided results, Delaney only got to see action in seven games. He best showing came in a three-minute outing against the Seton Hall Pirates, when he went 1-of-2 from the free throw line, grabbed a rebound, and blocked a shot in Villanova’s big Jan. 27 win.

Although he was a reserve player, Delaney played an important role in mimicking and simulating key opposing big men as part of the scout team, pushing the starters and other key frontcourt players in the rotation.

He played the part of Jordan Hunter, the 6-foot-10 Saint Mary’s Gaels starting center. It seemed like he got the ‘Cats well prepared for him, as they held Hunter to just six points and two rebounds in their NCAA Tournament opening round victory.

Apart from that, he provided a great locker room presence and helped mentored the younger players.

”He’s done a great job this year, especially at practice,” teammate Eric Paschall said. “...He has a great attitude, he knows what’s going on. He gets on the younger guys with what to do here. His attitude is great--I don’t even know how to explain it--he’s just done a great job this year with having a great attitude about everything.”

Looking Back and Onwards to the Future

It’s no secret that Delaney’s arrival at Villanova didn’t go as planned.

The 6-foot-9 New Jersey native racked up over 1,500 points in his first three seasons of high school basketball at Pitman (N.J.), eventually leading them to a state title in 2014 before transferring to Blair Academy (N.J.) to finish off his high school career.

A broken nose and hip issue hampered his final season before college. According to 247 sports, he was a three-star recruit, one that had committed to Villanova over a number of offers that included the likes of Penn State, Oregon State, Rutgers, as well as Big 5 schools Saint Joseph’s and La Salle. He had the ability to shoot and serve as a stretch ‘4.’ Delaney was coming along with Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo, the other commits in that class.

However, his freshman season was derailed by season-ending hip surgeries on both of his hips. Although he got some playing time in the 2016-17 season, he was sidelined again with another season-ending hip surgery.

”You know everyone is always there for you,” said Delaney of dealing with the string of season-ending injuries. “I got hurt a couple of times, but no one ever writes you off. You’re always there, I was always in practice. I talked to everyone, it’s really a family-like culture--it’s amazing.”

While he’s gotten to enjoy being a part of two national championship teams--did the temptation of seeking a fresh start ever cross his mind? There have been many college basketball players that have made such a move. Maybe one that is comparable is Kevin Ware, who sustained a gruesome leg injury during Louisville’s--since vacated--2013 national title run. Ware returned only to later transfer to Georgia State for a fresh start.

For Delaney, it was a no brainer.

”I’ve learned so much from coming here,” Delaney said. “Everything that’s happened in my life has been a learning opportunity or a blessing. It’s been an amazing opportunity being at ‘Nova, I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Delaney stuck around and will be graduating this May. He planned on trying to return to the ‘Cats next season and said he was going to meet with head coach Jay Wright after the season to have a conversation about his future, but it seems that he will be playing a grad-transfer year at Division II Adelphi University (N.Y.), with his younger brother Andrew--who committed to play there last November.

”Just try to be all in for the team and whatever comes from that is going to be great,” Delaney said of his loyal approach to ‘Nova. “That’s how it is here. If you buy in and do your best and help everyone else, eventually it helps out for you at the end. It might not be what you foreseen, but good stuff always comes from this place--it’s amazing.”

Hopefully, good stuff will be coming his way in his college basketball finale next season.