Kris Jenkins and Ryan Arcidiacono
LAS VEGAS -- For at least two hours on the hardwood court, just blocks from the famed Las Vegas strip, the passer, the screener and the shooter were together again.
This wasn’t some overdue college reunion of long-lost former classmates. This wasn’t their first meet-up since Ryan Arcidiacono, Daniel Ochefu graduated, and Kris Jenkins joined them in the professional world this spring.
This was a random NBA Summer League basketball game and yet the nostalgia was undeniable, at least for those aware of the basketball connection. Perhaps especially those who on April 4, 2016 had their televisions turned to the final moments of the NCAA national championship game.
The mid-July game between players wearing jerseys specifying either the Chicago Bulls or Washington Wizards was among dozens during the summer showcase for basketball hopefuls. This one brought together the passer, the screener and the shooter in a sanctioned game for the first time since Jenkins sank a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to lift Villanova past North Carolina 77-74.
Not that the intoxicating memory will fade soon or likely never, but it’s kept fresh because of how often the three now former Wildcats are asked about the game, the shot, the win.
“Probably every day,” Jenkins said.
After the Tar Heels tied the game with a miraculous shot, Arcidiacono, the passer, fed a trailing Jenkins for an open attempt deep behind the 3-point arc. Moments later, nothing would be the same.
“During March Madness you saw it a ton, but anytime you meet people, they ask about you and that game,” Arcidiacono said. “The Villanova alums want to tell their stories. I always have open ears.”
The swapping of stories on this Vegas excursion began when Jenkins joined Ochefu on Washington’s Summer League roster. Ochefu, the screener who helped a dribbling Arcidiacono maneuver before delivering the key pass, spent the past season learning the NBA ropes with the Wizards.
The always-smiling big man had legitimate affection this summer for one of Washington’s undrafted free agent.
“It’s great seeing my brother Kris,” Ochefu said.
The pair was two games into their Summer League adventure before facing Arcidiacono.
“It will be cool to against someone you grew up with, played together in college. It should be fun,” stated Jenkins.
He followed up that all-time March Madness moment by helping Villanova win its fourth consecutive regular season title this past season. He joined Ochefu on the Wizards Summer League roster and, on this day, Arcidiacono on the court for at least one last time.
When the game ended – Bulls 82 Wizards 73 for those keeping score – the passer and the shooter were brought together for a photo opp. All three recognized the opportunity presented.
“Today we were able to get the win. Showed I can lead a team, change the pace of the game and hopefully knock down a few shots here and there,” said Arcidiacono. The 2015 Co-Big East Player of the Year spent the past season with the San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate in the NBA’s Developmental League.
“I’ve just been learning as much as I can. Find a way to play in a training camp and then go from there. I think I can definitely play in this league and find a role on a team,” he said.
Ochefu already made an NBA roster, but played scant meaningful minutes for a Washington team that came within a game of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The 6-11 center spent the off-season working on his finishing moves at the rim and getting his angular body in shape for the next step.
During his second Summer League stint, Ochefu shot 68 percent from the field, led the Wizards with 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks and came one point shy of a double-double against the Bulls. He also passed on what’s he learned to a certain shooter looking to emulate his success.
“I just told him exactly what I did to make the team,” Ochefu said. “That’s what he’s walking into. He’s an undrafted senior with a great college resume. He just has to come in and show he belongs in this league.”
No matter how many more men’s basketball national championships are played, the 2016 Villanova team will be remembered. Jenkins does his best living in the moment.
“It happened,” the D.C. native nonchalantly said about that shot of shots. “I don’t think about it too much. Just try to go with the flow.”
Now they face the next step: Becoming NBA brothers in arms. That won’t be easy. For three undrafted players, the odds are beyond steep. Yet we’ve seen them overcome obstacles for one shining moment. We watched them reunite in Las Vegas for in pursuit of those dreams. We’ll keep watching to see what’s next for the passer, the screener and the shooter.