’Nova’s Bey wins Erving Award, will test NBA waters
Saddiq Bey has had a lot of time to think in between remote classes and working out as he quarantines in his family’s home in Largo, Md.
One of the things the 6-8 sophomore forward from Villanova has thought about since the season came to an abrupt end nearly a month ago is his future. He’s come to a partial decision on that matter.
“I’ll definitely try to test the (NBA) waters and go through that process whenever I’ll be able to, whenever that opens up,” Bey said during a video conference Tuesday, after being named the winner of the Julius Erving Award as the top small forward in the country. “I’m keeping my options open for sure, just see how it unfolds.”
Villanova coach Jay Wright said freshman forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will give the NBA a look-see, too. When that will be, though, no one knows. The NBA’s season, as well as its draft evaluation process and the draft, have been thrown into a state of flux since the league was shut down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Initially, underclassmen had until April 26 to declare for the NBA Draft and then had to determine by June 15 to stay in the draft or withdraw their name for consideration and return to school. The draft was slated for June 25, but all that, though, is up in the air.
“The NBA might not have its draft until August or September,” said Wright, who added that he told both Bey and Robinson-Earl to be patient. That’s exactly what Bey has been doing.
“It’s uncharted territory, so we don’t really know what’s going to happen, what’s going to go on, so I’m staying ready for anything,” he said, “and being ready for when that time comes.”
Bey had a breakout year for the Wildcats, who went
24-7 overall and 13-5 in the Big East to claim a share of their sixth regular-season title in the last seven seasons. Bey led the Wildcats in scoring (16.1 ppg) and 3-point field goal percentage (45.1), was second in assists (2.4) and third in rebounding
(4.7). His 3-point field goal percentage led the Big East and was fourth nationally.
The 6-9 Robinson-Earl averaged 10.6 points and a teamhigh 9.5 rebounds per game, the most by a Wildcat since Michael Bradley grabbed 9.8 rebounds per game in 200001. Robinson-Earl was selected as the Big East Freshman of the Year, the fourth Wildcat to receive the award.
Bey is projected as a first-round pick by several mock drafts. Robinson-Earl is largely seen as a secondround selection.
“I think both of them are in a great position in this process,” Wright said. “And even though I think the process is going to be difficult in terms of getting enough information to make a decision, I think both of them, and these guys are unique, are the kind of players that if they decide to come back, they’re so disciplined and they’ve got so much potential that they’ll benefit from coming back and they’ll get a lot better. And those same characteristics, being disciplined and having potential, if they both go, they’ll make it a positive and they’ll get better in the NBA no matter where they get drafted. They’re good picks. No one will make a mistake taking them.”
Bey is the third player from Villanova in the last four years to win the Erving Award, joining Josh Hart (2017) and Mikal Bridges (2018).
Joining Bey on the 2020 Naismith Starting Five are: Bob Cousy Award winner Payton Pritchard (Oregon) as the top point guard; Jerry West Award winner Myles Powell (Seton Hall) as the best shooting guard; Karl Malone Award winner Obi Toppin (Dayton) as the No. 1 power forward and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award recipient Luka Garza (Iowa) as the best center.
“I just want to thank my teammates and my coaches and the staff for everything they continue to do for me since I’ve been there,” Bey said. “I automatically just thought of them and the ups and down that we’ve been through made me what I am today. It’s just an honor to share this with them and to be able to be recognized, but I feel like it definitely was a team effort and I’m just happy to be a part of this culture.”
Now he has to decide if he wants to return to school and remain a part of that culture for another year or make the leap to the NBA.
“I just have to keep getting the feedback throughout the summer, so whatever decision I make it’s going to be what’s best for me and my family,” Bey said.