Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Wildcats players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Jalen Brunson (36 points), Josh Hart (16 points), and Mikal Bridges (7 points).
#1. Jalen Brunson, a 6'1'' guard who graduated from Villanova in 2018 and received the USBWA All-District II Player of the Year award that same year, currently plays professionally in the NBA. Recently, he led the New York Knicks to a thrilling 1-point victory over the San Antonio Spurs with a score of 107-106. In this game, Brunson put on a remarkable performance, scoring an incredible 36 points, along with 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in 45 minutes of play. This outstanding display earned him the title of MVP of the game, showcasing his talent and leadership on the court. Despite the New York Knicks holding a somewhat modest 54-29 record this season, Brunson's exceptional skills and contributions have been pivotal in their recent success. This victory marked the team's fifth consecutive win, highlighting their momentum and cohesion. Impressively, this marks Brunson's fourth year with the team, demonstrating his loyalty and commitment to his franchise. Brunson's individual performance this season has been nothing short of exceptional, with impressive averages of 26.3 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. His consistent high-level play has been instrumental in propelling the New York Knicks towards success, making him a standout player in the league. In this game, he proved himself as the champion, leading his team to victory as the finalist of the intense matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
#2. Josh Hart, a 6'5'' guard and 31-year-old Wildcats alumni from 2017, who received the All-Big East All-Tournament MVP award that year, currently showcases his skills in the NBA. He is a teammate of the aforementioned Jalen Brunson. In a recent game, Hart unfortunately couldn't assist the New York Knicks (54-29) as they faced the San Antonio Spurs on the road and suffered a 115-111 defeat. Despite his commendable efforts, Hart's performance stood out as he contributed 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in 35 minutes of play against San Antonio. His individual stats for the season are impressive, with averages of 11.6 points per game, 7.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Although Hart's performance was notable, he and his team fell short of securing a victory in the game.
#3. Mikal Bridges, a 29-year-old guard/forward standing at 6'6", graduated from Villanova in 2018 and received the All-Big East All-Tournament MVP award that year. Currently playing professionally in the NBA, he is a teammate of Jalen Brunson, with whom he recently shared the court in the last NBA game. In a thrilling match against the San Antonio Spurs, Bridges played a pivotal role in the New York Knicks' narrow 107-106 victory. Despite recording 7 points in 29 minutes, his impact went beyond the box score. Bridges showcased his versatility by contributing 2 rebounds and 2 assists, highlighting his value as a finalist. His performance was instrumental in securing the win, underscoring his prowess as a champion on the court. Throughout the season, Bridges has consistently delivered impressive statistics, averaging 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His strong individual performance reflects his dedication and skill as a key player in the league.
#4. Joe Cremo, a 6'4'' guard and 29-year-old alumni of the Wildcats from 2019, played a key role in helping his team secure the Big East Regular Season Champion title in that year. Currently playing professionally in Spain, Cremo recently contributed to Leyma Basquet Coruna's victory over the closely-ranked Zunder Palencia with a score of 92-81 in the Spanish Primera FEB (second division) on Saturday night. In this highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, Cremo showcased his skills by scoring 10 points in 27 minutes of play. Leyma Basquet Coruna, with a record of 28-4, holds the second position in the league standings, and their win against Palencia marked their third consecutive victory. This season marks Cremo's first with the team, and his performance on the court, where he scored 10 points, grabbed 1 rebound, and provided 2 assists against Palencia, was instrumental in leading his team to victory. With an impressive average of 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game this season, Cremo has been consistently delivering solid performances, further establishing himself as a champion on the court.
Other former Villanova University players, who play in pro basketball:
Darrun Hilliard (6'6''-SG-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Surne Bilbao Basket in Spanish Liga Endesa
Cole Swider (6'9''-PF-1999, played in 2018-21) plays for Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Jhamir Brickus (5'11''-PG, played in 2024-25) plays for Nymburk in Czech Republic NBL
Donte DiVincenzo (6'5''-SG-1997, played in 2015-18) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
Saddiq Bey (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Collin Gillespie (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2017-22) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Tyler Burton (5'9''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Cam Whitmore (6'7''-F-2004) plays for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Kyle Lowry (6'0''-PG-1986, played in 2004-06) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Omari Spellman (6'9''-PF-1997, played in 2017-18) plays for Shougang Beijing Ducks in Chinese CBA
Jermaine Samuels Jr. (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2017-22) plays for Longevida San Pablo Burgos in Spanish Liga Endesa
Phil Booth (6'3''-SG-1995, played in 2014-16) played for JDA Dijon Bourgogne in French Betclic ELITE ProA few monts ago
Antonio Pena (6'9''-F-1986, played in 2006-11) played for Reales in Dominican Rep. LNB last year
Ryan Arcidiacono (6'3''-G-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Osos de Manati in Puerto Rican BSN
Enoch Boakye (6'11''-F-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Val-Dieu Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Mark Armstrong (6'2''-G-2004, played in 2022-24) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
Wooga Poplar (6'5''-G-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
James Bell (6'5''-SF-1992, played in 2010-14) plays for Pass lab Yamagata Wyverns in Japanese B2 League
Jordan Longino (6'5''-G-2002, played in 2021-25) plays for Kormend in Hungarian A Division
Daniel Ochefu (6'11''-F/C-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Blackwater Bossing in Filipino PBA
Brandon Slater (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2024-24) plays for Knox Raiders in Australian NBL One
Eric Paschall (6'6''-F-1996, played in 2015-15) plays for Hubei in Chinese NBL
Chris Arcidiacono (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2019-24) played for Melbourne Tigers in Australian NBL One last year
Eric Dixon (6'8''-F-2001, played in 2019-25) plays for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League
Justin Moore (6'4''-PG-2000, played in 2019-24) played for Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League last year
Hakim Hart (6'8''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) played for Astros de Jalisco in Mexican CIBACOPA last year
Caleb Daniels (6'4''-G-1999, played in 2024-24) played for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA Summer League last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Villanova University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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