Wright has a chance to make history for the 2020-21 season. Many college basketball insiders and media personnel have the Wildcats as the pre-season number one team in the country and a favorite to cut down the nets in Indianapolis in May. If that were to happen, Wright would join an elite list of coaches who have three or more national titles […]

Article by Dave Nguyen, AKSM Sports

SPRINGFIELD, MA - The offseason has had many storylines thus far for the Villanova Wildcats, which include sophomore forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft and seniors Jermaine Samuels and Collin Gillespie returning next year for the 21-22 season. Over the weekend, the best news came in at the Wright time as Head Coach Jay Wright became one of 15 members to be inducted into the 2021 class of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. When he was given a phone call about his induction, he was almost lost for words.

"When I got the call, it was stunning, it was emotional, it was humbling," said Wright in the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I definitely do not feel like a Hall of Famer."

A man who has spent 27 years as a head coach between his time at Hofstra and Villanova, was unsure on how to feel about entering arguably the most elite fraternity in the sport of basketball.

"’I'm not sure what that’s supposed to feel like, to be honest with you,” stated Wright. “But I think it’s overwhelming being there today and just sitting in a room with Kevin Garnett and Bill Russell and Chris Webber and Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce and Val Ackerman. You’re overwhelmed."

While the feeling is overwhelming for Wright, this announcement was never an "If this will happen" but "when will this happen". After working his way up as an assistant at both Villanova and UNLV with Rollie Massamino, he was given an opportunity to be the head coach at Hostra, where in seven seasons he led it to two NCAA Tournament Appearances.

When arriving on the Main Line in 2001, he was able to re-establish Villanova's winning ways with a recruiting class that featured Randy Foye, Allen Ray, and Curtis Sumpter. Those players were able to mesh well together in 2004-05 with a Sweet 16 appearance with the help of a gritty freshman from North Philly named Kyle Lowry. The four-guard offense was able to work well, as those same group of players made it to the Elite Eight the following season.

Three seasons later, thanks partially to Scottie Reynolds, Wright led the Wildcats to his first Final Four and the program's first since 1985. After suffering a 13-19 record in 2011-12, his worst season as Head Coach at Villanova, Wright changed his recruiting strategy, going after players he believed would fit into the concept of playing as a 'team' rather than five-star recruits. As a result, since 2014, Villanova has made the Big Dance for eight consecutive seasons, including four straight 30+ win seasons and two National Championships. Furthermore, players such as Josh Hart, Ryan Arcidiacano, Mikal Bridges, and Donte DiVincenzo have benefitted from Wright's ways, carving out solid careers in the NBA thus far.

"We are so blessed at Villanova to get those kind of players and student-athletes,” said Wright in an interview with ESPN. “The whole culture at Villanova – the campus, the community, the history, the basketball tradition, how everybody stays in touch with each other."

“The players come in and they have great respect for the former players. They play for those who came before them. They come in to be a part of something bigger than themselves. We’re so lucky to have those guys and be able to coach them, and it’s really because of the history and the tradition of Villanova basketball.”

With Wright's induction, he becomes one of seven active head coaches in college basketball who are also members of the Hall of Fame: Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), John Calipari (Kentucky), Rick Pitino (Iona), Bill Self (Kansas), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), and Jim Calhoun (University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, Conn.). Additionally, he is also an assistant coach for the United States Olympic team under Greg Poppavich, who will be heading to Tokyo this summer for the Olympics.

"On behalf of the Villanova community and the entire Nova Nation, congratulations to Jay on this well-deserved honor," said Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. "While the numerous championships, wins and awards Jay has amassed over his career are impressive, I am the most proud of the culture he has created and the program he has built here at Villanova. He is a consummate professional and a humble leader who has been a positive influence—on and off the court—to the countless student-athletes he has coached over the years, and I can think of no one more deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame."