The Villanova men’s basketball program may not be as storied as Duke or Kentucky, but these Wildcats have more than earned the respect of their peers in college hoops.
Villanova won the title in 2016 and 2018, putting it in the same class as Gonzaga as one of the 21st century’s most potent teams. And Nova’s 1985 title as an 8-seed stands as the lowest-seeded champion in NCAA history.
Villanova’s stamp on college history doesn’t end there.
Under head coach Al Severance, the Wildcats won the inaugural NCAA Tournament game in 1939 and led the team to the first Final Four. Years later, Nova, Georgetown and St. John’s landed in the 1985 Final Four, marking perhaps the height of the once-mighty Big East. Although the Big East has changed in a big way, Villanova continues to represent the conference with pride.
Unsurprisingly, Nova has some very notable alumni who have gone on to have equally notable careers as pros. Let’s explore the top former Villanova players in NBA history.