Point guard Jalen Brunson, No. 22 in the 2015 ESPN 100, ended his recruiting on Wednesday when he committed to Villanova over Illinois.
Brunson gives coach Jay Wright not only a five-star floor general, but the best senior in the state of Illinois who was also named the 2014 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior.
"Coach Wright is a genuine guy," Brunson said. "What he says is what he is going to do. He will push me and make me work for my time."
Brunson is a left-handed, pass-first lead guard that excels at running his team and can also score as needed. He can attack the lane and deliver the ball in drive, draw-and-kick, or drop-off situations.
Brunson also excels at scoring through contact and finishing plays when he gets deep in the lane.
Brunson should fit well in the Wildcats' spread offensive attack that at times plays multiple guards to create numerous matchup problems.
"Coach Wright puts his players in position to be successful," Brunson said. "I bring leadership even through I am young. That is one of my core qualities. Also making plays and my teammates better around me."
Brunson joins four-star shooting guard and fellow ESPN 100 athlete Donte DiVincenzo, who is an athletic and versatile scorer, and three-star power forward Tim Delaney, who is productive in and around the paint.
