The Villanova Wildcats have a long history of producing some of the best basketball players in the NCAA. From the early days of legendary coach Rollie Massimino to the modern era of Jay Wright, the Wildcats have had a number of superstars come through their program. So who is the best basketball player to ever don the Wildcats’ blue and white? Let’s take a look at some of the contenders.
Kerry Kittles
Kerry Kittles was one of the best players to ever come through the Villanova program. He was a four-year starter for the Wildcats and was a key member of their 1985 National Championship team. He was named the Big East Player of the Year in 1996 and was a three-time All-American. He was also a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and was a two-time first-team All-Big East selection. Kittles was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft and went on to have a successful 11-year career in the NBA.
Kerry is still the all-time leading scorer in Villanova history with 2,243 points and was inducted into the Villanova Hall of Fame in 2009. He is also a member of the Big East Hall of Fame.
Reggie Lewis
Reggie Lewis was another one of the greats from the Villanova program. He was a four-year starter for the Wildcats and was part of the 1985 National Championship team. He was a two-time All-American and was the Big East Player of the Year in 1986. He was also a three-time All-Big East selection and was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.
Lewis was also a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft. He went on to have a successful seven-year career in the NBA before tragically passing away in 1993 due to a heart condition.
Kurt Hinrich
Kurt Hinrich is another one of Villanova’s all-time greats. He was a four-year starter for the Wildcats and was part of the 1985 National Championship team. He was a three-time All-American and was also the Big East Player of the Year in 1989. He was also a two-time All-Big East selection and was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 1988.
Hinrich was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft and went on to have a successful 11-year career in the NBA. He is currently the all-time leading scorer in Villanova history with 2,122 points and was inducted into the Villanova Hall of Fame in 2012.
Kerry Kittles: The Best of the Best
When it comes to determining who is the best basketball player to ever come through the Villanova program, there is no doubt that Kerry Kittles takes the cake. He was a four-year starter for the Wildcats and was part of the 1985 National Championship team. He was a three-time All-American and was the Big East Player of the Year in 1996. He was also a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-Big East selection, and is the all-time leading scorer in Villanova history with 2,243 points. He was also drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft and had a successful 11-year career in the NBA.
Kittles is a true Villanova legend and is without a doubt the best basketball player to ever don the Wildcats’ blue and white. He is a member of the Big East Hall of Fame and the Villanova Hall of Fame and is a true testament to what hard work and dedication can do for a player.
Conclusion
Villanova has had a long line of great basketball players come through its program over the years. While there are many contenders for the title of the best basketball player to ever don the Wildcats’ blue and white, there is no doubt that Kerry Kittles takes the cake. He was a four-year starter for the Wildcats, was part of the 1985 National Championship team, was a three-time All-American, was the Big East Player of the Year in 1996, was a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, was a two-time first-team All-Big East selection, and is the all-time leading scorer in Villanova history with 2,243 points.
Kittles is a true Villanova legend and is without a doubt the best basketball player to ever come through the program. He is a member of the Big East Hall of Fame and the Villanova Hall of Fame and is a true testament to what hard work and dedication can do for a player.