Villanova Wildcats: It’s NBA or bust for Donte DiVincenzo

With one last chance to remove his name from consideration before the Draft, it looks like it’s NBA or bust for Villanova Wildcat Donte DiVincenzo.

After much speculation this offseason, it looks like Donte DiVincenzo‘s time with the Villanova Wildcats has officially come to an end.

While he technically has until May 30th to make a decision as to whether or not he wants to return to college, or take his talents to the pros, DiVincenzo laid any speculation to rest by announcing his decision to sign with an agent, and remain in consideration for the 2018 NBA Draft.

In a surprisingly touching Instagram post, DiVincenzo expressed his appreciation and admiration for Jay Wright and the entirety of Nova Nation and wished them the best as he takes his career to the next level.

While it would have been nice to have the ‘Michael Jordan of Delaware’ back for his senior year, especially since he would have more than likely been the focal point of Wright’s offense, at this point can we really be all that surprised that DiVincenzo is staying in the draft?

Declared one of the biggest winners of the 2018 NBA Draft Combine by many news outlets, DiVincenzo now appears to be a lock to go in the back half of the first round, with Danny Ainge‘s apparently falling in love with him during the pre-draft process.

Who knows, maybe he’ll find his way back to Philly and be selected 26th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers?

But regardless of where DiVincenzo ends up going in the 2018 NBA Draft, it’s pretty incredible to see just how much his stock has risen over the last six months.

After appearing in only 45 games over his first two seasons on campus, DiVincenzo almost doubled that total in 2018 and effectively transformed himself from a solid sixth man into one of the best players on a championship-bound team. Averaging 15 points in the NCAA Tournament, DiVincenzo went off in the NCAA Championship Game against Michigan for an insane 31 points, and effectively road off into the sunset as the NCAA Tournament MVP in what would end up being his final game in the Blue and White.

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With nothing left to prove, and his place in Villanova history now forever set in stone, it will be incredibly interesting to see if DiVincenzo can continue to find success at the game’s top-level, and turn his 12 college starts into a spot in the first round. But regardless of where he ends up, Donte DiVincenzo will always have a home on the Mainline.