4-star, 2022 guard Brendan Hausen opens up on Villanova commitment

Brendan Hausen’s hometown of Amarillo, Texas is many miles away from Pennsylvania, but even as he made his first official visit to Villanova’s campus a couple weeks ago, he already felt like he was home.

“Just going around with Coach Wright and the staff, you just see how much people care about basketball,” Hausen said. “You see the staff is so tight and then the connections they have, and then you see it trickle down to everyone in the program. The culture is just so strong. The players are like brothers on and off the court. I come from a strong culture program out here, so when I came into Villanova’s practice and watched, I just felt like that’s where I belonged and that I can make a huge impact there.”

Hausen committed to Villanova earlier in the week, but the excitement still hasn’t died down.

“I’m excited to be a Villanova Wildcat and be a part of that family and that culture,” he said. “I’m relieved, and me and my family are happy. I’m just excited.”

Stylistically, it’s a perfect match.

The COVID-19 pandemic limited his recruiting prospects, but he set gymnasiums on fire once play resumed during his junior year.

He solidified his spot as Amarillo High School’s all-time leading scorer and earned District 3-5A MVP honors, averaging 17.6 points per game and knocking down 90 three-pointers. He also dished out 96 assists and helped the Sandies to an appearance in the Class 5A state semifinals. Hausen was one of the catalysts in their 24-4 campaign.

After a successful high school season, he followed up with a strong showing once the live recruiting period returned this past June.

His three-point prowess caught the eye of many scouts across the country and he quickly piled up more than 20 offers, but the 6-foot-5 guard is eager to show that there’s much more to his game than his sweet shooting stroke.

According to Hausen, he also considered Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Arizona State, Nevada, and Oregon.

“The three-point game is strong, but I don’t think people realize how well I pass the ball and handle the ball,” Hausen said. “I’m the point guard for my high school team, and I played point guard at Peach Jam in Atlanta, and I see the floor really well, but I’m also a great rebounder and a tough competitor, and I want to win at all costs.”

Since Villanova first offered him in July, he felt a connection with the program that only deepened over time.

“Coach Wright was actually at the Olympics at the time, so it was actually Coach Holcovage and we just made a strong relationship that was bigger than basketball,” Hausen said. “They started recruiting me, not only for my skillset, but the person I was. They were sending game film to Coach Wright, and Coach Wright reached out to me whenever he could even when we were on different time zones. I built a strong relationship, a strong connection with them. They really went in depth with my family and that ultimately was a big part of my decision.”

While he hopes to end his high school career on a high note, he’s also looking forward to putting on that Villanova jersey.

“Just coming in there and being a part of something that’s so established, it’s such a great culture,” Hauser said. “Meeting new people, making relationships for the rest of my life, and going in there and having a chance to win something and compete for something so big.”

In the meantime, he has a message for what Villanova fans can expect from him once he sets foot on the court.

“I’m just gonna give 100% all the time,” Hauser said. “They’re gonna see an ultra competitor, a high-energy guy once I come in there, and be the definition of a Villanova Wildcat.”