Donovan Mitchell says Jay Wright told him he wouldn’t let him be a one-and-done, and that honesty cost Villanova a future 7-time All-Star “Villanova was one, but Jay Wright sat in my room, I give Jay Wright a lot of respect because he said, ‘You’re not leaving after one year, and you’re not leaving after two. We keep our guys three to four years.’” “And I didn’t think I was going to make the league, but I was like, ‘What if I’m good enough?’ He was like, ‘No.’ And I respect that, because a lot of coaches will wait till you get there and then try to hold you back.”

Sep 3, 2026 · 2:48 PM UTC

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Bet the 2015 2016 national champion Villanova team really kick themselves at night not doing anything to get donovan mitchell
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it went out well for them, but what could've been if they ended up teaming with each other in college.
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am I wrong but couldn’t he just declare after one year anyway? Could the school or coach stop somebody from declaring for the draft?
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Bridges, Divencenzo, Brunson, Robinson-Earl, Spellman, Bey all left early. If they were ready they'd go.
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I think it worked out alright for Nova. Also Nova already had Brunson who is a better college and pro player, clearly.
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He wasn’t that great in college anyway. Nobody thought when he came into the NBA that he’d be as good as he’s been. This is a nothing burger.
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Or maybe… that’s why they were all stars…
Wright’s honesty probably built a better pro, not cost him one. Do you think long-term development matters more than early draft hype?
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Funniest part is he stayed two years at Louisville
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He was going to PC until Pitino swooped in with the “rally girls”
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Ask @MichaelRedd_ about college coaches trying to hold their players back from going to the NBA. He’ll most likely take the high road and keep it to himself, but he can definitely relate!
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You aren’t a Wildcat or a Knick!!
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