Villanueva will likely test jumping ability
WORCESTER -- It was never really a question of "if" with Charlie Villanueva, but rather "when." As in when will the 6-foot-11-inch University of Connecticut forward declare himself ready for the NBA?
The first surprise came two years ago when Villanueva chose not to go to the pros directly out of high school. Instead, Villanueva decided to give college a try. Villanueva showed promise as a freshman, averaging 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds for the national champions, but he also needed some seasoning. And he has made the next step as a sophomore, upping his averages to 13.5 points (tops on the team) and 8.2 boards (second).
Is he ready to make the jump to the next level?
While Villanueva has yet to go public with a decision, you get a feeling one has been made. This NCAA Tournament -- which continues for the Huskies today against No. 10 seed North Carolina State in a second-round Syracuse Regional game at the DCU Center -- will likely be Villanueva's last go-round in college basketball.
The UConn basketball staff -- as it has done with all the Huskies' potential lottery picks in recent years -- threw some numbers at Villanueva.
Such as in the case of former UConn forward Caron Butler, who was the 10th overall pick in the NBA draft in 2002, and is slated to earn $6.5 million over a four-year period.
Another former UConn standout, guard Ben Gordon, was the No. 3 pick in last spring's draft and could make as much as $15 million over a four-year span.
The message from the school is clear: Stay around for another year, add some more polish, and Villanueva could make the jump from a low-lottery pick to near the top of the draft.
Villanueva will only say that he has thought about the NBA, but that a decision can wait until after the season. At the moment, Villanueva's focus is where it should be, judging by his 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 blocked shot in Friday's 77-71 first-round victory over Central Florida.
Such performances have been commonplace this season, as Villanueva has become a leader on a team that lost Gordon and Emeka Okafor, the No. 2 pick in the draft, after last year's title run.
"If I could stay in college forever, I would," said Villanueva yesterday. "But I've got family obligations. We'll have to see."
Villanueva concedes he could have made the leap to the pros coming out of high school. "It was a man's world," he said. "And I wasn't ready."
Villanueva was ready to choose Illinois and would now be an
Instead, two years into his UConn experience, Villanueva has matured in many ways. "He's the nicest kid imaginable," said Huskies assistant coach George Blaney. "He's just fun to be around. Basketball-wise, he's so clever offensively. There aren't many players like him."
Huskies coach Jim Calhoun says he has talked to Villanueva about the NBA and had former UConn players relate their experiences about making the jump. Calhoun also understands family considerations will factor in, which probably will be the final push toward the pros and away from college for Villanueva.
Meanwhile, Villanueva says what he does for the rest of the tournament can help UConn and himself, since it will be positive exposure for everyone.
But what Villanueva wants to do right now is win some more games. "Every day now, you just take day by day," said Villanueva. "What happens, happens."
