Approximately 48 hours before his pledge to Villanova, four-star wing Jermaine Samuels released a top five comprised of some college basketball blue bloods and of course, the defending national champion Wildcats. What separated Jay Wright’s Wildcats from the rest of the pack; one consisting of Duke, Kansas, Indiana and Georgetown?

“It felt right,” Samuels told Rivals. “It just felt right.”

For the Franklin (Mass.) native, the decision to become Villanova’s second 2017 commit was about more than just basketball, as Samuels credited education and “just being around good people and a family atmosphere.”

“A really tight bond,” is how Samuels described his relationship with the Villanova coaching staff. “We all connected very well. It wasn't a hard thing to get accustomed to.”

The pressure to perform on a Villanova team that will, by Samuels’ arrival, be seeking to replace senior leading scorers Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart isn’t something the 6’6 wing feels will require much acclimation, either. That’s because, well, Samuels pays no attention to the term ‘pressure.’

"I don't feel any pressure at all, really,” Samuels said. "If that's what I'm brought in there to do then I'm going to give it my all. I don't feel any pressure, I'm just going to do the best to my ability and work as hard as I can."

Currently ranked No. 46 on the Rivals150, Samuels said he’ll be able to immediately provide Villanova with a lockdown defensive presence who offers every intangible on the court: scoring, rebounding and getting steals.

As he continues working towards it, Samuels envisions becoming a do-it-all guy for the Wildcats, but in the meantime, he’s set some personal goals for himself throughout his closing effort at The Rivers School.

"I definitely need to work on my body more,” Samuel said. "I need to get better at ball handling, probably decision making and reading things fast.” Samuels added that a winning a league championship and surpassing 2,000 career points is among those on his senior season bucket list, as well.

If the current rankings hold true following what Samuels hopes to be a memorable season, the athletic wing could come to Villanova among the top 10 at his position. But much like pressure, the rankings aren’t something Samuels put much stock into.

"There's another kids in my class that are ahead of me because they do certain things well,” Samuels said. “But obviously, as a player and having confidence, I think I'm one of the best players in the country, but it don't really matter to me. I think I should just let my game speak."

Samuels went on to say he believes Villanova’s game will speak for itself, too, as the Wildcats seek to defend their first national title since 1985. "I think that's it's very possible for them to do it again," Samuels said.

With some fine-tuning to a well-rounded, two-way skill set, such as strengthening his jumper and tightening up his handle, Samuels, too, may be a key cog in a Villanova squad pursuing a championship. The talent, work ethic and focus necessary for such a role certainly isn’t lacking; something Samuels credited his coaches throughout high school and Expressions AAU for instilling in him.

"I give them a lot of the credit because they let me be me and show people what I do best.”