Villanova's Jalen Brunson will decide this week whether to enter draft
The sophomore is pretty sure on what hell do. But hes not saying yet.
Jalen Brunson says he has a feeling about where he wants to play basketball next season, whether it's at Villanova or in the NBA, but he's not tipping his hand.
"I'm pretty sure," the Wildcats sophomore point guard said Monday night before the Big Five Hall of Fame gathering at the Palestra. "I have a feeling, but I just need to make sure, be 100 percent sure. I don't want to be 99 percent sure and have one foot out the door. I want to be all in, no matter what I'm doing."
Brunson said he and his parents will meet later this week with Villanova coach Jay Wright to discuss his options on whether to declare for the NBA draft. His father, Rick Brunson, played in the NBA and is currently an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"He's definitely talked to me about it," the younger Brunson said. "We're going to have to make a decision based on what's best for me and what's best for my family. But most importantly, my dad said, 'Make a decision based on you. Don't base it on anybody else.' "
Brunson said his decision will be made this week. Players have to declare for the NBA draft by Monday and can withdraw any time until May 24 and maintain their NCAA eligibility provided they don't hire an agent.
Brunson's teammate, Josh Hart, declared for the draft last year, participated in the NBA combine and worked out for several NBA teams before deciding to come back for his senior season at Villanova.
The 6-foot-2 Brunson averaged 14.7 points and 4.1 assists last season in helping lead the Wildcats to a 32-4 record. He shot 54.1 percent from the field and 87.6 percent from the free-throw line. He was named a unanimous first-team all-Big East player.
Wright said he feels that Rick Brunson knows a lot about the NBA and will help his son make the right decision.
"With Jalen's dad in the league, his dad knows," Wright said. "He can get all the information I can get. I'm not worried about them. Usually I have to bring all the information to the table, and I don't have to do that this time. I'll let them make the decision."
Brunson said the NBA has been a dream, but "at the same time, I know it's not going anywhere."
"If I go now, if I go next year, I know I'm going to fight for a position no matter when I go," he said.
"There are great possibilities. It's just that I have to make a decision. One thing is, my mind's been clear. I've been just focused on working hard and just staying in the gym and not worrying about it. I'm not worried if I'm going to make a bad decision."
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