Joe Cremo has a chance to play a big role for the Wildcats next season
Joe Cremo, arguably the top graduate transfer on the market this year, has committed to the Villanova Wildcats. He has a chance to be a key piece in what could be Villanova’s first rebuilding year in recent memory.
Since winning the National Championship a few months ago, the Wildcats have seen juniors Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges declare for the draft, with sophomore Donte DiVincenzo and freshman Omari Spellman also testing the NBA waters.
While there appears to be a strong chance that Spellman returns, DiVincenzo appears to be a coin-flip at the moment, leaving the Wildcats with just two returning starters — Phil Booth and Eric Paschall.
Enter Cremo.
The 6-4 shooting guard averaged 17.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists for Albany this past year while shooting an impressive 46% from beyond the arc.
Cremo provides insurance against a DiVincenzo departure, while the pair would compliment each other beautifully if the NCAA Championship-hero DiVincenzo returns to school for his junior season.
The New York native picked Villanova over Kansas, Texas, Creighton, Gonzaga and a number of other strong programs.
He joins what was already a Top-15 recruiting class, headlined by former Arizona-commit Jahvon Quinerly, along with elite shooting forward Cole Swider and athletic wing Brandon Slater.
“It felt like family the minute I stepped on campus,” Cremo told ESPN Tuesday morning. “I’m excited for the opportunity to get to work and help this team any way I can win as many games as we can. Coach Wright, his staff and the players made me feel at home.”
