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Visit to White House leaves Villanova teeming with excitement

WASHINGTON - As perks go, Tuesday afternoon at the White House was the ultimate trump card. Villanova's basketball team had certainly got to do a bunch of neat stuff, both individually and as a group, since Kris Jenkins nailed the three-pointer in Houston that will only be replayed for as long as they're holding an NCAA Tournament. That's what happens when you win six games in March and go home with the trophy.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright address the media with players, Josh
Hart, Kris Jenkins, Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu.
Villanova head coach Jay Wright address the media with players, Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins, Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu.Read more(Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)

WASHINGTON - As perks go, Tuesday afternoon at the White House was the ultimate trump card.

Villanova's basketball team had certainly got to do a bunch of neat stuff, both individually and as a group, since Kris Jenkins nailed the three-pointer in Houston that will only be replayed for as long as they're holding an NCAA Tournament. That's what happens when you win six games in March and go home with the trophy.

Now, nearly two months since that magical night, the Wildcats got to do what is probably their last official act together. Unless the five graduating seniors all make it back to the Pavilion for the ring/banner ceremonies next season. And other than the freeze-frame when Jenkins' championship-winning shot found nothing but history, this one topped the list. With apologies to all the extracurriculars that had come their way before, whatever ranks next is forever relegated to a very distant second.

How could it not be? Even if President Obama did botch the pronunciation of Ryan Arcidiacono's last name. But who hasn't? In the transcript release, it was also misspelled. Not that anyone was keeping track, except maybe Arch.

"My name is tough enough," Obama noted. "I sped through it, in case I didn't say it right."

That's OK. He's the Chief Executive. This was Villanova Day, to honor the program's second title and first in 31 years. Obama talked about the Wildcats' run, and the final game, and Jenkins' moment. He said coach Jay Wright was the George Clooney of college basketball. He got that one right.

He talked about a team that was "as happy going for a loose ball as cutting down the nets," that had "the heart of a champion." He called the Wildcats a team for the ages. He pointed to Daniel Ochefu doing the little things, which included mopping the floor at NRG Stadium before the final play. And the fact that Josh Hart went to nearby Sidwell Friends, where Obama's oldest daughter Malia is graduating next week. And he referred to Jenkins, who also went to high school in this metropolitan area, as Big Smooth and Big Shot. "I can pick a nickname now," Jenkins smiled later. "He just said it was a good shot."

Or even incredible, given the plot.

"He shot his team into basketball lore," Obama said. "It got (TNT's) Charles Barkley out of his seat, and he doesn't do that much these days."

Ouch. On the tribute proceeded, for nearly 15 minutes. What did the most important figure in the free world get in return? A blue jersey that was a replica of the one they wore during the Final Four. And, a white jersey with No. 44 for the 44th president, that was a replica of one they wore when they lost to Oklahoma by 23 at Pearl Harbor last December on the 74th anniversary of the Japanese attack that got the country into World War II. That's OK, too. The Wildcats would own the rematch.

So who do you think got the better of the deal?

"This is big time," the impeccably attired Wright (you were expecting anything less?) practically gushed, once he got outside for the short mediafest facing the north lawn. "I never see the Philadelphia writers wearing suits . . . It was an amazing day. He knew a lot about the (North Carolina) game, and the team. He's a great leader, and a great man. But he's a baller, too. We gave him a picture, privately, of him shooting a jumper. It mirrored Kris.

"This is a dream come true, for all of us. A lot of things have happened to us. We've got to do a lot of great things. I can tell from looking at our players that this is the most (indelible) experience."

You think? A lot of teams get to do a lot of things. Only a select few make it here. And politics have nothing to do with it. This is strictly about getting recognized for being the best. These Wildcats earned their invitation. It wasn't a celebration as much as it represented an acknowledgment of the journey. From someone who, like the vast majority, had picked Kansas to beat them in the Final Eight of his nationally televised bracket sheet. Not that anyone brought the subject up.

"It's not everyone who can say the President of the United States mispronounced your name," Arcidiacono said.

Ochefu admitted he failed in his efforts to get a selfie with their host.

"Unfortunately, I was too worried about the Secret Service agents," he quipped.

Hardly shockingly, they were all wide-eyed. Like it was their Christmas morning.

"This is something you always see every year," Hart said. "But to actually go through it, you're lost for words."

Hart had once missed a chance to meet Obama when the President visited Sidwell Friends. Seems he'd fallen asleep in the locker room.

"I made up for it today," he said. And he sported a red, white and blue bow tie for the occasion. "I had it in my arsenal, just in case I needed it," he added.

Wright's wife, Patty, even came away with a souvenir.

"We took a family picture while we were taking the tour," she said. "The first thing I'm thinking is, 'Christmas card.' "

Who knows? With a lot of pieces back, maybe they'll get to do this again next year. Where does it say it has to be a once-in-a-lifetime keepsake?

"I'd like that," Wright nodded with a faraway gaze, pondering the enormity of that possibility.

@mikekerndn