2018 is hardly end of line for Nova run

SAN ANTONIO — A top-12 recruiting class. A returning core any program in the country would envy.

Jay Wright hasn’t stopped smiling this week, and it isn’t just about reaching his third Final Four or how pleased he is with his trademark fancy suits.

Villanova will remain a fixture among the sport’s preeminent programs next season and beyond, with an even deeper roster next year than the one that won Monday night’s national championship game at the Alamodome.

National Player of the Year Jalen Brunson is likely headed to the NBA, and so is dynamic junior wing Mikal Bridges, the Wildcats’ two best players. Replacing them will be almost impossible. Of course, there was no replacing Kris Jenkins or Josh Hart last year, or Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu the year before that.

Wright and Co. simply reloaded, hardly losing a step, like Duke, Kentucky and Kansas do annually. And he will do it again next year, returning what could be the best 1-2 forward tandem in the country in Omari Spellman and Eric Paschall. Sixth man Donte DiVincenzo, who could start anywhere in the country, will take his turn as Villanova’s lead guard. Glue guy Phil Booth will be back. So will sharpshooting freshman Collin Gillespie.

And that strong nucleus will have one of the best freshman classes in the country to work with, a three-man group headed by five-star point guard Jahvon Quinerly of Hudson Catholic (N.J.). It also includes a pair of high-level four-star prospects, forward Cole Swider and wing Brandon Slater. The class, ranked 12th by 247Sports.com, is Villanova’s highest in years.

While it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Paschall, Spellman and DiVincenzo all test the NBA draft waters — Wildcat players often do — a return by all three is likely.