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Villanova Basketball: Wildcats in mix for class of 2024 5-star SG Jalil Bethea

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Justin Moore #5 of the Villanova Wildcats during the first half against the Georgetown Hoyas in the first round of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Justin Moore #5 of the Villanova Wildcats during the first half against the Georgetown Hoyas in the first round of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Villanova Basketball has been included in the top five list for five-star guard prospect, Jalil Bethea. Do they have a chance to land the talented target?

Around a week ago, I looked at the teams that have reportedly been in the mix for Jalil Bethea. He’s a consensus top-25 prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, with some recruiting services ranking him in the five-star category. As a 6’4 guard, Bethea is one of the pure scoring threats, capable of causing havoc anywhere on the court.

Teams such as Alabama, Miami, and Syracuse have been after Bethea for a while. And as expected, each of those teams, as well as the Kansas Jayhawks, made the cut. As for the 5th team, there was a chance that Temple, which is close to home (native of Warminster, Pennsylvania), would get the nod.

Instead, it’s another program from the City of Brotherly Love. Villanova Basketball has used the transfer portal mainly this offseason, adding some key pieces. But they’ll need to have a sizeable recruiting class for 2024, knowing that they’re losing Eric Dixon, Tyler Burton, and Hakim Hart for sure. Plus, star guard Justin Moore will be moving on as well.

Bethea would be an excellent replacement for Moore as the team’s starting shooting guard. He’d get a large role in the offense early on and get to play close to home as well. Even without Coach Jay Wright, the Wildcats are one of the big programs in college basketball and would put the top shooting guard in the national spotlight.

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As of now, the other four programs have scheduled visits with Bethea. Villanova hasn’t as of this writing but now that they’re in contention, look for them to try and become a main player. Recruiting against Nate Oats (Alabama) and Bill Self (Kansas) won’t be easy for Coach Kyle Neptune but if location matters, the Wildcats should feel hopeful.