LAS VEGAS – Everywhere you looked at the 2018 NBA Summer League, Villanova players roamed. Opponents of the 2016 and 2018 NCAA men’s basketball champions know the feeling.
Legendary game-winning shotmaker Kris Jenkins, whose deep buzzer-beater against North Carolina gave the Wildcats the program’s first title since 1985, suited up for the Spurs. Josh Hart, the bridge between both title teams, dominated for the Lakers. First-round selections Mikal Bridges, Donte DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman tasted professional life for the first time with the Suns, Bucks and Hawks, respectively.
“It’s amazing to see those guys I played with and those I guys I tried to mentor,” Hart said. “To see all those guys here is amazing. It just kind of shows how good of a program Villanova is.”
Wait, there’s more. Jalen Brunson, the 2018 BIG EAST Player of the Year, showed his wares for the Mavericks. Daniel Ochefu, starting center for the 2016 Wildcat squad, defended the middle for the Knicks. The game with the Bulls and Hawks pitted Ryan Arcidiacono, one of the 2016 standouts, against Omari Spellman, a starter on the 2018 team that blitzed the field for a second title under coach Jay Wright.
Seriously, the Wildcats were everywhere – and loving every minute of the showcase opportunity.
“It’s dope, man, to alone have four guys in this year’s draft,” said Spellman, who was selected by Atlanta with the last pick in the first round. “Having Josh get drafted last year. Ryan, Daniel, Kris [are here]. It feels good to be part of such a strong foundation at Villanova.”
That foundation of skilled players at every position over five seasons fueled a 165-21 record, four Big East regular season titles, three conference tournament championships and those two cutting-down-the-nets moments in the NCAA’s. Genuinely staggering achievements – yet not relevant going forward when it comes to securing paid work outside of falling back on the principles taught with the Wildcats.
Nobody in Las Vegas played better than Hart. The 6-foot-5 swingman, who was the last selection in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, was named Most Valuable Player. He finished third overall in scoring with 22.4 points while averaging 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals.
“Josh, that guy is a killer right there,” said Ochefu after Hart dropped 27 points in 28 minutes against New York.
Hart began the summer among the group of young players rumored in trades for All-Star level talent after LeBron James signed with Los Angeles. He ended Summer League coveted by his own fan base. Growth showed in ways beyond numbers.
“Just toughness, the grit. More comfortable with ball handling, the dribble,” Hart said.
While Hart used his second Summer League to show his evolving game, Spellman and the other rookies began the journey of discovery. Playing in the Big East is not easy. It’s also not the NBA.
“When I say physicality it’s the way you can be physical,” said the 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward. “There are ways you can be physical here than in college. You just have to find those ways and find the way to leave your mark on the game. That’s what I’m learning how to do.”
Winning the title in early April gave Spellman, Bridges, DiVincenzo and Brunson the highest of highs. Those focused on the June 21 NBA Draft didn’t care. Villanova players could enjoy their accomplishment, but not for long. The players quickly returned to the gym to prep for the next step. Spellman did so with gusto.
“Just working hard is something I’m no stranger to. It’s something I want to do for my teammates,” he said about honing his skills for the pre-draft workouts that have prospects crisscross the country. “I just wanted to get ready to put myself in the best position to succeed.”
Ochefu, in Las Vegas for the third consecutive summer, knows about this grind. Experience helps, but being recognized as a Summer League veteran is not ideal.
The 6-foot-11 center participated in Summer League on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas for the third time. He arrived with less certainty than the previous two trips. Though undrafted in 2016, Ochefu latched on with the Wizards immediately after the draft. He made the real team in his first season and returned to Las Vegas one of Washington’s key players on its 2017 Summer League entry. There was no return to the real Wizards, however. A roster logjam led to his release before the 2017-18 season. Ochefu spent the campaign in the G-League playing for three different teams.
“It was definitely real tough getting cut by the Wizards. Then the season, the whole ride,” Ochefu said. “But, I’m always grateful for my opportunities.”
The Knicks provided another one this summer in which Ochefu, at the ripe old age of 24, played the dual roles of interior presence and mentor.
“It’s been a good experience,” said the always smiling Ochefu. “Definitely a different role…. It’s Summer League. I know what it is. It’s not my first rodeo. I know what I need to do.”
There was another difference, one everyone in Las Vegas could see and one all the Villanova players embraced
“It’s great. This is the first year having this many guys here,” Ochefu said. “It’s always good to see my brothers.”