Jalen Brunson Chooses Villanova

Rivals Class of 2015, five-star Stevenson (Ill.) High School point guard Jalen Brunson announced today his intention to attend Villanova University and play his college basketball for Coach Jay Wright's Wildcats.

The 6-foot-1 rising senior visited Villanova last weekend with his family and decided to forgo previously planned visits to Temple (where his McDonald's All-American father, Rick, starred before embarking on a 9-year, NBA career), Michigan State and Purdue in favor of cutting his list to Illinois and Villanova. Prior to his official visit to Villanova, the consensus Top 25 recruit paid a visit to Illinois (the fifth of the five schools on his final list).

Brunson to Villanova creates an ideal situation where the electric point guard can come to the Main Line and play alongside Ryan Arcidiacono for a season prior to picking up the torch as the starting lead guard in Jay Wright's, perimeter-oriented, offense that encourages creative and aggressive guard play.

In addition to starring for Stevenson during the High School season, Brunson was a key cog in the backcourt for the Mac Irvin Fire AAU squad on the Nike EYBL circuit. Brunson and Roselle Catholic (N.J.) point guard, Isaiah Briscoe were considered the two best Class for 2015 point guard prospects in the highly competitive summer league that attracts the best basketball talent from across the country.

VUSports covered Brunson in action this summer at the Nike Peach Jam (Brunson Filling Peach Baskets) and at the Nike EYBL Session in Minneapolis (EYBL Saturday Evening and EYBL Sunday Morning Action)

In October of 2013, VUSports broke the news of Villanova's involvement in the recruitment of Jalen Brunson when he took an unofficial visit (Four-Star Guard To Visit Villanova). In the months that followed VUSports was first to report that Villanova was one of the favorites to nab Brunson.

Last Saturday, VUSports was first to report that Brunson had decided to announce his decision this week!

'Nova Nation should be thrilled with this commitment.

Subscribe to VUSports.com for insider coverage of Villanova basketball recruiting, all the latest news regarding the Wildcats and to participate in discussion forums with die-hard Villanova fans. For nearly twenty years, VUSports, the birthplace of 'Nova Nation, has provided the most accurate and complete coverage of Villanova basketball available anywhere.