November 1, 2028
We began our recruiting season with five scholarships to offer, so we could basically field a full team with players from the Class of '29. As the defending national champions, we attracted attention from several of the top players in the country...including one who lives six miles from campus.
Three players have committed to us already. Let's meet them, shall we?
The first comes to us from across an international border. Coach Glazier had significant success recruiting in Canada, where he found
Charles Vancleave and
Bruno Le Fleurquin. We think we've found a Canadian star, too: power forward
Kris DeMello.
Code:
#5 PF Kris DeMello
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Height: 6-9
Weight: 232
High School:
Hometown: Grimsby, Canada
GPA: 3.06
Test Score: 1080
Rating: ****
Attributes:
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Type INS JPS FTS 3PS HND PAS ORB DRB PSD PRD STL BLK QKN STR JMP STA
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Current: 51 39 26 28 29 16 53 36 46 18 14 54 42 86 52 32
Potential: B C D D D D B B B D D A
Season Stats:
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PTS OREB REB AST TOS A/T STL BLK PFS
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15.4 3.8 10.1 1.7 1.9 0.89 0.9 1.9 2.9
Shooting Averages:
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FGM FGA FG% FTM FTA FT% 3PM 3PA 3P%
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7.1 14.4 .493 1.1 2.1 .537 0.2 1.7 .088
Recruiting Notes:
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Qualified: Yes
Committed to Villanova
Rankings: #74 Overall, #13 PF, Foreign #3 Overall, Foreign #1 PF
High School Awards: None
Top 5 Schools: *Villanova
There's nothing fancy about Kris. He doesn't venture far from the basket on either end of the floor. He has a repertoire of no-frills post moves on offense, and we believe he could develop a decent mid-range game. He is an active rebounder and defender, and he is good at blocking shots.
Kris might have to be patient and pay his dues as a younger player before he's ready for Big East basketball. That plan worked well for players like
José Blanco, who is now playing basketball for a living.
On the same day DeMello gives us his commitment, we hear good news from a very promising guard from Virginia.
Justice Stafford is from suburban Richmond. Despite being generously listed at 5'9" and 162 pounds, he's a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best players at his position in the Class of '29.
Code:
#10 PG Justice Stafford
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Height: 5-9
Weight: 162
High School: Trinity Episcopal School
Hometown: Midlothian, VA
GPA: 3.48
Test Score: 1330
Rating: *****
Attributes:
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Type INS JPS FTS 3PS HND PAS ORB DRB PSD PRD STL BLK QKN STR JMP STA
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Current: 29 32 63 48 50 62 38 22 33 54 29 6 85 42 68 64
Potential: C B A A A B C D C B B F
Season Stats:
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PTS OREB REB AST TOS A/T STL BLK PFS
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20.8 0.8 4.0 7.5 2.4 3.17 2.5 0.3 1.9
Shooting Averages:
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FGM FGA FG% FTM FTA FT% 3PM 3PA 3P%
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9.0 17.5 .514 1.3 1.4 .926 1.5 4.3 .349
Recruiting Notes:
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Qualified: Yes
Committed to Villanova
Rankings: #10 Overall, #3 PG, Southeast Region #5 Overall, Southeast Region #2 PG
High School Awards: All-State
Top 5 Schools: *Villanova, Kentucky, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, North Carolina
Justice's well-rounded skill set will enable him to fill varied roles in our lineup. With some diligent work, his jumper could develop into a fearsome weapon. He dribbles and passes well enough to serve as a facilitator. An intelligent player, Justice plays very sound fundamental defense.
Our roster is thin at PG, so there's a chance Justice might start for us from Day One, perhaps teamed with current first-year
Blake Norton.
A perfect storm comes together this summer. A year after Villanova wins the national championship, the best high school player in the United States is a senior at a school fifteen minutes from campus.
Code:
#4 SF Asher Wise
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Height: 6-6
Weight: 208
High School: Conestoga High School
Hometown: Berwyn, PA
GPA: 3.11
Test Score: 1170
Rating: *****
Attributes:
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Type INS JPS FTS 3PS HND PAS ORB DRB PSD PRD STL BLK QKN STR JMP STA
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Current: 30 65 49 65 58 35 40 50 47 42 23 17 67 43 74 40
Potential: C A B A B C D C B C B D
Season Stats:
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PTS OREB REB AST TOS A/T STL BLK PFS
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31.3 2.3 7.8 4.4 1.1 4.00 2.7 0.8 2.1
Shooting Averages:
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FGM FGA FG% FTM FTA FT% 3PM 3PA 3P%
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14.1 23.2 .609 1.3 2.0 .667 1.8 3.8 .467
Recruiting Notes:
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Qualified: Yes
Committed to Villanova
Rankings: #1 Overall, #1 SF, East Region #1 Overall, East Region #1 SF
High School Awards: All-State, Mr. Basketball (Pennsylvania), All American
Top 5 Schools: *Villanova, Georgetown
Asher Wise's father played college basketball at Haverford, and his mother played soccer at Mount Holyoke. Early on, it became obvious their only son was destined for greater things athletically.
There are few things Asher can't do on a basketball court. He enjoys playing defense, so we won't have to forsake our team's identity to accommodate his talent. He can handle the ball and passes it unselfishly. However, Asher's premier skill is his ability to shoot. His stroke is smooth and deadly, with range well beyond the three-point line. By the time his collegiate career ends, he might be the best shooter in the nation.
We will almost certainly have Asher with us for only three years. But if he lives up to his potential, they'll be a lovely three years.