Scottie Reynolds likely wasn’t going to get chosen in the June 25 NBA Draft and so he has opted to return to Villanova for his senior season.
“The best decision for me is to return to Villanova for my senior year,” said Reynolds, who averaged 15.2 points per game in helping lead Villanova to a school-record 30 victories last season. “I’d like to thank everyone who put their time into helping me get better during these NBA workouts. I especially want to thank my teammates and coaches here for all of their support. I felt like I learned a great deal from this process.
“I’m blessed to be in the situation I am in. I’m happy to be back at Villanova.”
Reynolds tested the NBA waters, but never hired an agent. Draft experts said he likely wouldn’t get chosen because he is not a pure point guard and must work on his quickness, defense and playmaking.
“I don’t see him getting drafted this year,” said Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com. “He’s probably not enough of a point guard for how limited he is from a physical standpoint. He definitely needs to improve his consistency as a shooter but is probably destined to play overseas when it’s all said and done. He’s a great college player, though, and he’ll always be remembered for that amazing shot he hit against Pitt.”
Reynolds has scored 1,620 points in three seasons at Villanova (15.3 ppg), which places him 15th on the school’s all-time list. In March, his length of the court charge and basket in the waning seconds lifted the Wildcats past top seeded Pittsburgh and into the Final Four for the first time since 1985.
“Scottie took a very mature and intelligent approach to this process,” said Villanova head coach Jay Wright. “He prepared himself thoroughly for each workout and absorbed everything he could from them. This was a tremendous learning experience for him and now he is focused on becoming a great senior leader in our program. He has great respect for the tradition here and I know he’ll embrace this role.”
Reynolds’ return should make Villanova the team to beat in the Big East. The backcourt features experienced guards Reynolds, Reggie Redding, Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher.
Duke transfer Taylor King also joins the mix, as does redshirt big man Maurice Sutton.
The Wildcats have one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, featuring McDonald’s All-Americans Dominic Cheek of St. Anthony and Maalik Wayns of Philly Roman Catholic, and big men Isaiah Armwood and Mouph Yarou of Montrose (Md.) Christian.
