Reigning champion Villanova will get its best player back
The best player on the reigning national champions is coming back.
Josh Hart announced via Twitter on Tuesday night that he is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to Villanova for his senior year. The shooting guard had entered the draft last month without hiring an agent, preserving the opportunity to pull out by Wednesday’s deadline.
Had Hart stayed in the draft, he had a good chance to be selected in the second round after averaging 15.5 points last season and showcasing toughness and versatility during Villanova title run. A lack of length and explosiveness limits his chances of cracking the first round next year, but he’d have a chance to improve his stock with a Malcolm Brogdon-esque All-American-caliber senior season.
Hart’s decision solidifies Villanova as a contender to become college basketball’s first repeat champion since Joakim Noah and Al Horford led Florida to national titles in 2006 and 2007. The Wildcats will return all but two rotation players from last year’s 35-5 powerhouse, though the two that are gone will certainly be very difficult to replace.
Combo guard Ryan Arcidiacono was Villanova’s third-leading scorer, its emotional leader and an elite distributor and perimeter defender. Center Daniel Ochefu was the Wildcats’ premier low-post scorer and the rim-protecting anchor of smothering defense.
Despite the loss of Arcidiacono and Ochefu, Villanova should start next year in the top five in the polls — perhaps as high as No. 2 behind Duke.
Ex-McDonald’s All-American Jalen Brunson will likely share point guard duties with Phil Booth next season after splitting them with Arcidiacono this past season. Hart is a shoo-in to start at wing and promising Mikal Bridges will see plenty of playing time off the bench.
Title game hero Kris Jenkins will once again be a fixture in the starting lineup at power forward, while Jay Wright will have a couple of options for how to replace Ochefu. Darryl Reynolds could move into the starting lineup early in the season, but the senior-to-be undoubtedly will be pushed by Omari Spellman, Villanova’s most promising incoming freshman.
The last time a national champion returned its best player, Russ Smith-led Louisville won 31 games and reached the Sweet 16 before falling to rival Kentucky.
Villanova has a chance to match or exceed those accomplishments next season.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
