By ADAM ZAGORIA
One day after Villanova junior wing Mikal Bridges declared for the NBA Draft, his teammate Jalen Brunson followed suit.
The 6-foot-3 Brunson will graduate from Villanova in there years and is projected as the No. 26 pick in the Draft, per ESPN.
“It is with great honor and privilege that I have called Villanova University my home for the past three years,” Brunson said in a letter obtained by ESPN. “When I decided to commit to Coach Jay Wright and the basketball program, I was driven by three goals: getting my education, competing at the highest level and winning a national championship. While I pride myself on remaining disciplined and focused to achieve these goals, I have grown as a man and have established lifelong relationships with my teammates, classmates, members of the basketball staff, fellow student-athletes and the wonderful educators and administrators of this prestigious university.
“After careful consideration and prayer, I have decided to enter the 2018 NBA draft and hire an agent. I want to thank my parents, family members including extended family, and close friends for their continued love and support through this process. I would also like to thank all the coaches that I have had throughout my career for everything they have done for me and my family. Lastly, I want to thank my teammates for welcoming me to a family that I am forever grateful for being able to join.”
Brunson won the Wooden and Naismith Awards and was named the AP National Player of the Year after averaging 18.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds this year. During his tenure at Villanova, he led the Wildcats to two NCAA championship in three years along with two Big East regular-season and two Big East Tournament titles.
Though there are questions about his defensive ability at the next level, Brunson projects as a longtime NBA point guard, potentially as a backup. He is generally seen as a second-round pick.
“He has the highest basketball IQ in college ball and will play 12 years in the league,” one NBA scout said of Brunson.
