Villanova’s national champs recognized with more national awards

Villanova’s national champions received more honors Friday night with players Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges and coach Jay Wright collecting trophies at the College Basketball Awards Show presentation in Los Angeles.

Brunson, already named player of the year by various organizations — including the Associated Press, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the Sporting News — added the Wooden Award as the nation’s best player. Brunson also collected the Bob Cousy point guard of the year award.

Brunson became the first Villanova player to win the Wooden Award, presented by the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and the first to win the trophy and be part of a national championship team since Anthony Davis of Kentucky in 2012.

“There have been so many great players that have come through Villanova, great coaches as well,” Brunson said on ESPN, which televised the awards. “To be the first Villanova player to win this gives me a lot of pride, and I’ll cherish this forever.”

Bridges, who was second to Brunson in scoring on the team, received the Julius Erving Award as the nation’s best small forward. Erving, the former 76er, presented Bridges with his award.

Bridges is the second Villanova player to win the Julius Erving Award in as many years. Josh Hart was presented with the trophy in 2017.