ADVERTISEMENT

Samuels Leads Team USA in Scoring in Loss to Puerto Rico

The Big East led USA Team at the Pan-Am Games suffered a close loss to Puerto Rico in the final game of group play Friday night, but Jermaine Samuels was once again a bright spot for the Americans.

Samuels led the team in scoring with 17 points and continued to show promising signs for next season at Villanova.

Two plays in particular stood out. In one, Samuels' defender lost him in a secondary break situation and he did an excellent job recognizing it and flying down the open space in the lane, where teammate Collin Gillespie found him for an easy lay-in. It will be interesting to watch the chemistry between Gillespie and Samuels this season with the extra time they are getting together.

In the second one, Samuels broke his defender down with the dribble and nailed a pull-up jumper from about 18 feet. The play was eye-catching as most of what we've seen from Samuels offensively so far in his time at Villanova has been spot-up threes, downhill drives, and offensive putbacks. In the opening game of the tournament, Samuels used the dribble to get by his defender on the wing and get to the basket, where he hit an acrobatic lay-up around the help defender. If Samuels can consistently use the dribble to break down defenders and add a mid-range jump shot to his arsenal he could become a scary offensive threat for the Cats. It' also worth noting that the pull-up jumper we mentioned came in a tightly contested fourth quarter, and encouraging sign regarding his confidence.

There's been a lot to like about the performances of Gillespie and Samuels in Peru, and the experience appears to be paying dividends for the duo. For now, their work in the Pan-Am games serves to increase the excitement for the upcoming season.
  • Like
Reactions: Bluesteel23

Gillespie Helps Team USA to Bronze at Pan-Am Games

The Big East led USA Basketball team took home the bronze medal at the Pan-Am Games with a 92-83 win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Collin Gillespie led the team in scoring with 24 points in the win.

After a nice start to the tournament, Gillespie cooled in the final two games of group play and the team's semifinal loss to Argentina. It was great to see him bounce back and help deliver a medal for the young US team, who fought an uphill battle against more experienced competition throughout the tournament in Peru.

Despite the struggles, it's nice that Gillespie was able to bookend the competition with good performances. The experience in Peru should help as the point guard takes on a leadership role with the Wildcats this season while likely handling the lion's share of the ballhandling duties.

Gillespie was also able to build some chemistry with teammate Jermaine Samuels which should also benefit the Cats this season. Samuels showed some very encouraging things in Peru, routinely scoring in double figures and leading the team in scoring in a loss to Puerto Rico to wrap up group play. Most notably, Samuels showed an expanded offensive game that included solid work off the dribble and a mid-range jumper, good understanding of space, and perhaps most importantly, a continuation of the confidence he showed in the second half of last season.

It would have been nice if Gillespie, Samuels, and the rest of the team were able to end the US's gold medal drought, but they showed well in tough circumstances and added a well-earned accomplishment to the resume. In addition, they gave Nova fans some things to be excited about as we await the start of the 2019-20 season.
  • Like
Reactions: Bluesteel23

Gillespie, Samuels Shine in Opening Quarter of Pan-Am Games

USA Basketball kicked off action in the Pan-Am Games this morning with a team made up fully of players from the Big East, with Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels representing Villanova.

The Wildcat duo didn't take long to make their presence felt, combining for 18 first-quarter points on perfect 6-6 shooting to help the US take a 16-point lead at the end of the quarter.

Unfortunately I had some issues trying to stream the game, so I'll be relying on second-hand reports in regards to the rest of today's game. I'll be making an effort to watch the games tomorrow and Friday, hopefully without issue, but either way will be doing whatever I can to keep you updated on the efforts of Gillespie and Samuels in Peru.
  • Like
Reactions: Bluesteel23

Gillespie, Samuels Recap from Team USA's 119-84 Win

As we mentioned in the previous thread, Team USA kicked off action at the Pan-Am games today, earning a 119-84 win over the Virgin Islands.

Villanova representatives Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels started off strong, combining for 18 points on 6-6 shooting in the first quarter, and parlayed that strong start into a solid day of contributions.

Gillespie finished with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. He shot 4-9 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the arc. He led the team with 22:10 of playing time, and finished as a +22.

Samuels added 16 points, four rebounds, two steals, and an assits. He was 6-11 from the floor and 2-6 from 3. He also finished with a +22. He had a highlight-worthy pump fake-drive-acrobatic finish that you can see in the highlights below.

Login to view embedded media

Devin Askew Update from USA Camp

2021 PG and Villanova target Devin Askew has had a fantastic summer and has continued that while working with USA Basketball in Colorado Springs. Rivals' Corey Evans caught up with Askew and got an update on his recruitment and on the possibility of reclassifying to 2020 that we mentioned earlier this month.

First and foremost, it appears that reclassification is now off the table and that Askew will remain in the class of 2021. Here's what Askew told Evans on the topic: “I am not going to do it. I was talking with my mom, my dad, my coaches and my trainers, and they have no doubt that I can make it in 2020 and still succeed but why rush? Why not use that senior year to get that much better?”

Evans also got a quote on Villanova: “That is a really big development program, they are going to develop you. It is a great point guard school and they are going to help you understand reads and stuff like that. It isn’t going to be one-and-done but two or three years, for sure.”

As far as where his recruitment stands, Louisville has been a major player and are lined up to get Askew's first official visit in early September. Memphis and Kentucky have recently gotten involved. Askew mentioned the allure of Kentucky's reputation as an NBA player factory to Evans, and he likes the connection to the pro game that is in place at Memphis with Penny Hardaway, Mike Miller, and Cody Toppert. Askew also revealed that he is coveting an offer from Duke, so if the Blue Devils get involved it could complicate things.

Askew noted he would like to get visits in to Oregon, Kentucky, Memphis, and Villanova if time permits.

Our take: With the decision to remain in the class of 2021, it feels like we're in the very early stages here. With Askew's play over the summer, his offer list is likely to grow, and as we mentioned with Duke, there could be some favorites Askew is waiting on. That being said, Nova appears to be in a good spot for the moment, and it would be huge if Jay Wright can get Askew on campus for a visit. That's what we'll be watching for as we head into the fall.

You can read Evans' full article, with quotes on Duke, Kentucky, and Memphis in addition to Villanova, at the link below.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...-mulls-a-reclassification-talks-newest-offers

Elijah Hutchins-Everett Reclassifies to 2021

Per Pat Lawless, big man Elijah Hutchins-Everett has reclassified from the class of 2020 to the class of 2021. He will also transfer to Putnam Science Academy.

Login to view embedded media
After the commitment of Jabri Abdur-Rahim to Virginia and the trimming of Jaden Springer's list to five schools, Hutchins-Everett was one of the few remaining 2020 players with a Villanova offer. On the other hand, Jay Wright and staff have been busy getting out offers to 2021 recruits. It remains to be seen how this move impacts the interest on either side, but with the plethora of offers already out for 2021 it's fair to wonder if the interest will wane for each party.

The news also further complicates the 2020 situation, which we discussed at length after the commitment elsewhere of Abdur-Rahim. We'll continue to keep an eye out for any new 2020 offers that go out while monitoring what is becoming a crowded 2021 group.

Jabri Abdur-Rahim Headed to Virginia

As expected, 2020 target Jabri Abdur-Rahim announced his commitment to Virginia Wednesday evening.

That makes two Nova targets in the 2020 class that have come off the board this week, as Jaden Springer also cut the Cats from his list when he trimmed it to five.

The recent developments put the Cats in an interesting position. Only a handful of 2020 players currently hold Nova offers, and there hasn't been a whole lot of buzz on those fronts lately.

On one hand, the cupboard is pretty stacked at the moment, at least in terms of bodies. With five recruits incoming this fall plus the addition of Caleb Daniels next season after he sits a year, there's some speculation that Jay Wright and staff could elect to forgo taking a 2020 commitment altogether. The crowded roster and the fact that the Cats have been getting out 2021 offers at a good clip this summer seems to support such speculation.

However, electing to pass on the 2020 class doesn't come without risk. There is the very real possibility that Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and/or Bryan Antoine choose to enter the NBA draft after one season at Nova. Antoine's injury complicates the exercise of projecting what is NBA thinking might be. When you add in the possibility of a current player becoming unhappy with the way the rotation shakes out this season and considering a transfer and combine that with the ever-present worry over injuries it's easy to see the benefits of adding a 2020 commitment.

It will be interesting to see how Wright approaches things, and we should get a feel for his mindset over the rest of the summer as we see if offers are extended to any 2020 prospects.

Personally, I'd like to see a 2020 player come on board. There's no reason to tempt fate and run the risk of losing JRE and Antoine and a transfer, and the program has reached a level that the roster should be stacked with talent full-time anyway.

What would you like to see happen? What do you think will happen?
  • Like
Reactions: Bluesteel23

Devin Askew Talks Recruitment, Potential Reclassification

The recent recipient of a Villanova offer, 2021 guard Devin Askew talked with Rivals' Corey Evans after the opening night of Peach Jam. Askew talked specifically about Villanova, and also touched on a potential reclassification into 2020.

Askew listed Villanova as one of five programs that have been prioritizing him, with the Cats joining Memphis, Louisville, Kentucky, and Texas. It's worth noting that Memphis and Kentucky have not officially offered the elite prospect.

In addition, Askew had this to say about Villanova: "A lot of the top guards go there. It takes time, it is hard to become a one-and-done out of Villanova unless you go and start killing, but they are definitely going to develop you and get you better there over two or three years.”

Obviously, that's a relatively short quote, but the tone suggests he won't shy away from doing the work and isn't deterred by any potential perceptions of Villanova and high-level recruits or Nova's production of NBA players. The recent success of Nova products in the NBA and the increasing number of first-round picks should help to dispell any lingering concerns potential recruits may have, and as Askew notes, Wright has proven himself as a capable developer of talent. Askew clearly has NBA aspirations, but again he appears willing to do the work and to not be looking for any shortcuts.

Askew has scheduled his first official visit, which he will take at Louisville in October. He also listed Nova as a school he would like to visit.

He is also considering a reclassification. “I am considering it to reclassifying up to 2020,” he said. “It is a hard decision, obviously, because I have my high school basketball team, it is a 2021 team, but, hey, I got to do what is best for me.”

He hinted that a decision could be made on that front by early fall. Regardless, Nova appears to be in a decent position with Askew, and the reclassification possibility adds to the intrigue as Wright finds himself in a bit of an odd position with the 2020 class currently.

All of this is something to keep an eye on over the rest of the summer and into the fall. You can read Evans' full article at the link below.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...-askew-talks-college-suitors-reclassification

Jabri Abdur-Rahim To Announce Decision Tomorrow

It's shaping up to be a newsworthy week for Villanova on the recruiting front. Late last night Nova target Jaden Springer cut his list to five and left off the Wildcats, and now it appears another Nova target is ready to make a decision as Jabri Abdur-Rahim shared that he will announce his decision tomorrow.

Login to view embedded media
Abdur-Rahim is ranked #41 in the 2020 Rivals 150 and picked up an offer from the Cats in late April. With is stock on the rise, it felt like the process could drag out as more options became available to the prospect, but it seems he has found a fit he likes.

The timing doesn't feel great for Villanova. Abdur-Rahim is fresh off a visit to Virginia and the Cavaliers are the consensus favorite. Michigan is considered a strong player as well. Still, Abdur-Rahim has said some good things about Nova, and perhaps a Cole Swider-like surprise is in the works. We'll know for sure tomorrow.

Should the consensus be correct and Abdur-Rahim heads elsewhere, it could set the stage for a busy rest of the month in terms of 2020 offers going out with two key targets in the class going off the board in a matter of days.

Cats Out for 2020 G Jaden Springer

Five-star 2020 guard Jaden Springer, who picked up a Villanova offer in May, has released a top five that doesn't include Villanova.

Springer is down to Memphis, Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina.

Login to view embedded media
With Nova apparently being out of the running for Springer, Jabri Abdur-Rahim projects as one of the Wildcats' top priorities in 2020. I also wouldn't be surprised to see some Nova offers go out to 2020 players later this month. Some potential names to keep an eye on just based on my gut would be Andre Curbelo, Lynn Greer III, and Noah Farrakhan.

Another Double-Double for Robinson-Earl as USA Reaches U19 World Cup Title Game

Future Wildcat Jeremiah Robinson-Earl continued his stellar play at the FIBA U19 World Cup on Saturday, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Four of his 10 rebounds came on the offensive end, and he added a steal while shooting 5-11 from the field. Team USA secured a spot in the Gold Medal game with a 102-67 win over Lithuania.

Robinson-Earl also recorded a double-double in Team USA's opening exhibition in Greece and shot a perfect 8-8 from the field in a Group Stage win over Lithuania. On Saturday, Robinson-Earl was second on the team in rebounding and third in scoring.

Team USA will take on Mali for the Gold on Sunday at 1:30. That game will be available on ESPN+.

Robinson-Earl showed well in Greece, heightening the anticipation for his Villanova debut.

Robinson-Earl Perfect From the Field in Team USA Win

The U19 USA Men's Basketball Team secured a 102-84 win over Lithuania Saturday, getting a big lift from future Wildcat Jeremiah Robinson-Earl along the way.

Robinson-Earl scored 17 points on perfect 8-8 shooting in Saturday's win. That mark tied a record for an USA U19 game. Additionally, his 17 points were good for third on the team.

After posting a dobule-double in the team's opening exhibition earlier this week, Robinson-Earl now has two standout performances under his belt in Greece.

The United States is now 2-0 in group play and will wrap up that stage of the tournament on Tuesday at 9 AM against Senegal (0-2). I'm hoping to get a chance to watch that game and to be able to provide a more detailed breakdown of Robinson-Earl's performance.
  • Like
Reactions: Bluesteel23

Corey Evans Catches Up With Nnanna Njoku, Talks Recruitment

Happy Fourth everybody!

Villanova recently offered the 6-10 big man out of Delaware, and Rivals' Corey Evans caught up with Njoku to discuss the state of his recruitment. The 2021 product is likely to see a big boost to his recruitment in the coming months, and it's good that Nova is in on the action early.

Talking with Evans, Njoku revealed that Villanova was the first program to reach out on the first day of permissible contact with HS juniors. He also had some brief thoughts on Nova that sound pretty encouraging in terms of the Wildcats' hopes of landing him.

“It was my first time talking to them. He (Jay Wright) was just catching up with me. I love them. I have been there for a couple of games and it is just amazing.”

Things are just getting started with the rising big, but Villanova seems to be in an excellent position. You can read the full article, in which Njoku also comments on Marquette and Providence, at the link below.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/nnanna-njoku-is-on-the-cusp-of-his-national-breakout

Cats Offer 2021 Big Man Nnanna Njoku

Work continued on the 2021 class Tuesday, as the Wildcats got out an offer to big man Nnanna Njoku out of Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware. Already listed at 6-10, 245, Njoku has college size and has honed his ability to finish around the basket.

Login to view embedded media
Other schools invovled with Njoku include Marquette, Providence, NC State, Miami, Temple, La Salle, Wichita State, and Virginia Tech. Expect is recruitment to gain momentum throughout his junior season.
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT