Donte DiVincenzo is one of the biggest names in college basketball in Villanova’s 2017-18 title winning season. The 31-point Final Four Most Outstanding Player by the 6-5 guard from Wilm, Del., began the season as a sixth man and ended it at the end of the court.
This article chronicles his journey at Villanova from his time at Salesianum High School, an early injury to his feet, to the breakout seasons and NCAA Tournament run. Continue reading to learn more about facts, highlights and frequently asked questions about their careers.
Player Profile and Background
He was a number 10 guard on the Wildcats. He is 6-5 and weighs 205 pounds. He was a native of Newark, Delaware and lived in Wilmington. Villanova calls him an athletic guard who possesses a lot of skills. He is a long range shooter, makes plays on the dribble and has good passing. Apparently he has been a part of the team for three seasons as a freshman, redshirt freshman, and redshirt sophomore.
Apprenticeship Program at Salesianum High School Career
He attended Salesianum High School in Wilmington where he played many positions on the court. His team won back-to-back Delaware state titles. In his junior year, he had a career-high 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Those figures were upped to 22.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a senior in 2014-15. He was named Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association’s 2015 Boys Basketball Player of the Year. He also played AAU basketball for Team Final.
Read Also: Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces (WNBA Playoffs): Series Recap, Scores & Analysis
2015-16 Season and Foot Injury
He only played one season. He then appeared in eight games as a reserve, before being sidelined for the rest of the season. Villanova made a shot from the corner three to run out with a 69-52 victory in the NIT Season Tipoff final against Georgia Tech. He was diagnosed with a broken fifth metatarsal of his right foot on Dec. 18. He didn’t play since Dec. 7 against Oklahoma and was given a redshirt.
2016-17 Breakout Season
He came back in good form and would play a pivotal role for Villanova. He was named to the BIG EAST’s All-Freshman team, and was named the Big Five Rookie of the Year. He has his most famous moment on Jan. 29, beating Virginia 61-59 with a buzzer beater from Josh Hart. His only time scoring 20 points came against St. John’s on Feb. 4. He has a career-high 25 points against St. John’s and eight rebounds in his career-high performance in the title game against Creighton in the BIG EAST Tournament. He had an average of 18.0 points for the NCAA Tournament in two games.
2017-18 Regular Season Highlights
It was his best year ever. He was often brought on and always made a splash. His career high 30 points on Feb. 10 in an 86-75 victory over Butler, also for 40 minutes, was his first since the game. He scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds on his career-high nine assists against No. 4 Xavier a week later. He averaged 25 points with St. John’s and 23 points with Marquette, including a big shot in the final seconds to secure a victory. He added a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) against La Salle as well. His first start of the season was at Saint Joseph’s on Dec. 2.
2018 BIG EAST Tournament Performance
He played a steady game leading Villanova to the completion of the BIG EAST Tournament. He went 8-for-26 in a 94-70 quarterfinal victory over Marquette, in which he scored eight points in 26 minutes. He also scored five points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists in the semi-final game against Butler on March 9. The night proved to be a night for his all-round performance which proved he was capable of assisting in the absence of his shot falling.
2018 NCAA Tournament and Final Four
His run in March was special. He had eight assists, seven points and four rebounds in an 87-61 victory over Radford. He scored 18 points in the first half to help Villanova get off to a flying start in an 81-58 victory against Alabama on March 17. He scored 15 points and collected six boards in a 95-79 victory over Kansas in the nation’s semifinal. Then was the title game on April 2 in San Antonio. He went 10-of-15 from the field with 31 points as Villanova downed Michigan, 79-62. He played in the Final Four averaging 23.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Awards, Honors and Personal Life
He was the third Villanova player to earn Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He was also a BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year and the first team All-Philadelphia Big Five. On April 19 he announced that he would enter the NBA Draft without an agent, having two brothers, John A. and John F. DiVincenzo. He was “one of the most touted players to emerge from Delaware in a long time” according to former coach Jay Wright.
Final Word
Donte DiVincenzo is taking Villanova from injury and redshirt to Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He was a major player in the 2018 title run, with his long-range shots, passing and big-game scoring. Here’s an easy-to-follow reference guide to his background, season highlights and key achievements.
FAQs
1,What position does he play and how big is he?
A 6-5, 205-pound guard who played for Villanova as number 10. He’s the one that’s known for shooting from a distance, scoring from passing and plays off the dribble.
2.What was he doing in the 2018 national championship game?
He shot 10-of-15 from the field for 31 points in Villanova’s 79-62 victory over Michigan in San Antonio on April 2. He was the third Wildcat to earn the Most Outstanding Player accolade at the Final Four.
3.What were his 2017-18 averages?
Played primarily as the sixth man, averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Was named the BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year and was an All-Philadelphia Big Five first team selection.
4.Why did he miss the 2015-16 season?
He had a fracture of his right foot’s fifth metatarsal bone, which was discovered on Dec. 18. Evaluated as a reserve player, he took the field in eight games but did not make his appearance since Dec. 7.
Read More: Score NBA Basketball: How to Follow Live Results, Stats and Standings
