Potential Reynolds NBA Departure Follows in Footsteps of Tim Thomas, Michael Bradley, and Kyle Lowry

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

If the rumors are true - and they are, for the moment, just rumors - Scottie Reynolds would be following in the footsteps of three earlier Wildcats, who decided to forego any remaining eligibility and head for the NBA:

• Tim Thomas - 1996-97 - left after his freshman year. It was a good season for the Wildcats, as he was added to a nucleus of players such as Jason Lawson, Alvin Williams, and Chuck Kornegay, the year following the graduation of Kerry Kittles. The team won a Big East division championship, received a #3 seed in the NCAA tournament, but fell in the second round to #6 California in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Wake Forest's venue, the Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum).
  
• Michael Bradley - 2000-01 - played two seasons at Kentucky under Rick Pitino, transferred to Villanova, when Pitino left and was replaced by Tubby Smith. Bradley sat out the 1999-2000 season as a transfer, but was permitted to practice with the team. He played his junior year, during Steve Lappas's final season of 2000-01, which ended in a NIT bid. Bradley opted not to return for his fourth season of eligibility. Nonetheless, he had graduated, since he had spent four years in college (two at Kentucky and two at Villanova.)

CORRECTION: Commenter Brian Ewart (you can see his full comment below) called my attention to an error above. Bradley did not, in fact, graduate in 2001; he returned to Villanova and graduated four years later, in 2005. He has just started his own sports management business...

• Kyle Lowry - 2004-06 - played two seasons for Jay Wright, and left for the NBA after the 2005-06 season... It was a great year for the Wildcats, as they received a top seed in the NCAA tournament and reached the Elite Eight, losing to Florida. Prior to this year, it was the best season under Wright.
  

Check the other Villanova blogs on the sidebar, to read and learn more about the issues involving a potential early departure for Reynolds...

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