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Villanova Basketball: Top 15 Players that have Played for Head Coach Jay Wright

By Tristan Freeman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 05: Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Jay Wright and Mikal Bridges of the Villanova Wildcats celebrate after the Championship Parade on April 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 05: Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Jay Wright and Mikal Bridges of the Villanova Wildcats celebrate after the Championship Parade on April 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Former Villanova Wildcats player Josh Hart of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with head coach Jay Wright, Jalen Brunson
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Former Villanova Wildcats player Josh Hart of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with head coach Jay Wright, Jalen Brunson /

5. Scottie Reynolds – Villanova Wildcats (2007-2010)

Career stats: 16.0 ppg 2.9 rpg 3.5 apg

He was an All-American his senior season, leading the team with 18.2 ppg. But Reynolds wasn’t just good his last season like some of the others on this list – he was good from the moment he stepped out on the court. He averaged nearly 15 ppg as a freshman and never scored less than that, helping Villanova make the Big Dance all four years he was around.

4. Randy Foye – Villanova Wildcats (2003-2006)

Career stats: 15.0 ppg 4.8 rpg 3.2 apg

Foye was in double figures all four seasons but gradually improved his scoring each season until his last. In 2006, he averaged 20.5 ppg and 5.8 rpg, good enough for Big East Player of the Year. In the Elite Eight run that year, Foye had games of 17, 24, 29 and 25 with at least six rebounds to lead the Wildcats.

3. Josh Hart – Villanova Wildcats (2014-2017)

Career stats: 13.2 ppg 5.6 rpg 1.8 apg

After coming off the bench as an underclassman, Hart became a star his final two seasons. As a junior, he led the 2016 Villanova team in scoring in route to winning 35 games and a national title. He didn’t win it all as a senior, but Hart was named Big East Player of the Year, averaging 18.7 ppg and 6.4 rpg.

2. Speedy Claxton – Hofstra Pride (1997-2000)

Career stats: 16.9 ppg 4.8 rpg 5.5 apg

NBA fans reading this might remember him as a solid pro that played in the league just recently. But Claxton was also the first star that Wright ever coached, helping Hofstra become a power in the America East. The 5’11 guard averaged at least 15 ppg all four years, with a career-best 7.2 apg his sophomore year, as well as 22.8 ppg his senior season. Those were the two years Claxton won Conference Player of the Year as well. He’s returned back to the program as an assistant in 2013 and is part of the program’s Hall of Fame.

1. Jalen Brunson – Villanova Wildcats (2016-2018)

Career stats: 14.4 ppf 2.5 rpg 3.7 apg

Brunson started all three years while at Villanova, playing a crucial role in winning two national championships in the last three seasons. Even with Hart and others around, the 6’3 guard still managed to make his mark on the team. But once the former Conference Player of the Year left, Brunson was unleashed.

Next: 2018-19 Preseason Top 25 After NBA Draft Decisions

He wasn’t just the best player in the Big East last season, Brunson was the best player in the country. He won AP Player of the Year over a number of other great point guards, averaging 18.9 ppg and 4.6 apg. The junior’s shooting splits were 52-41-80, and never had a statistical bad game of the 2017-18 season. Few players in the modern era have accomplished as much as Brunson in just three years played.