Villanova Wildcats

Villanova's Spellman stays in NBA draft after title run

Published May. 30, 2018 3:10 p.m. ET

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) Big East freshman of the year Omari Spellman is staying in the NBA draft after helping Villanova win the national championship.

The school announced Spellman's decision Wednesday, the final day of the NCAA deadline for players who haven't hired an agent to withdraw from the draft and return to school. Spellman joins Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges as Wildcats who left the champs for the NBA with eligibility remaining.

Spellman enrolled at Villanova in the fall of 2016 after attending St. Thomas More in Connecticut for his final season of prep basketball. After sitting out the 2016-17 season as an academic redshirt, Spellman averaged 10.9 points and 8.0 rebounds as the Wildcats set a school record with 36 victories. Spellman connected on 43 percent of his 3-pointers and led the Wildcats with 59 blocked shots.

''The NBA people I have spoken with have been impressed with Omari's maturity and potential as a player,'' coach Jay Wright said. ''He made a great impact on our program and we're thrilled that his efforts have led him to this opportunity.''

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