Arcidiacono, Lowry to see jerseys retired in February

Two Villanova Wildcats greats are getting their jerseys retired in February.

Former Wildcat point guards Ryan Arcidiacono and Kyle Lowry will be honored in separate ceremonies at Villanova home games.

Arcidiacono will have his No. 15 retired during the Feb. 12 Marquette game. As for Lowry, his No. 1 will be honored during halftime of the St. John’s game on Feb. 26.

“This is a great opportunity for the entire Villanova family to honor two outstanding players and lifelong members of our community,” Wildcat head coach Jay Wright said in a press release.

Lowry helped the Wildcats to two deep NCAA tournament runs, guiding them to the Sweet 16 in 2005 and the Elite Eight in 2006. He left after his sophomore year to enter the NBA Draft, eventually becoming a five-time NBA All-Star, a Team USA gold medalist, and a champion with the Toronto Raptors.

“Kyle brought a toughness to our program that everyone has had to live up to in the years since,” Wright said. “We’re so proud of all his basketball accomplishments, but mostly the man, father, and husband that he’s become.”

Arcidiacono, now with the Chicago Bulls, was a four-year captain that helped Villanova to 117 victories as a starter, three Big East regular season titles, a Big East tournament championship, and then a NCAA National Championship in 2016. Over his career on the Main Line, he tallied 1,604 points and 535 assists.

“Ryan watched Kyle play and learned from him,” Wright said. “He became one of the great Villanova leaders of all time. His tenacity, intelligence, and charisma set an example for all of the Villanova guards that followed him.”

The point guard greats will join an exclusive club that has previously retired 21 jerseys, including 16 players, three coaches, and long-time trainer Jake Nevin.