Salesianum grad, Final Four MVP DiVincenzo to remain in NBA draft

Final Four MVP Donte DiVincenzo has determined his professional basketball career will begin immediately.

The Salesianum School graduate from Wilmington announced on Instagram Tuesday that he will not return to Villanova, will hire an agent and is available to be chosen in the NBA draft June 21.

The 6-foot-5 guard had declared for the draft in April but had done so without hiring an agent, meaning he could still return to NCAA champ Villanova, where he had two seasons of eligibility remaining.

“I want to thank Nova Nation for an amazing season this year and the unbelievable amount of support throughout," he wrote. "The Villanova Community has done nothing but support and motivate me to become the best player and person I can be."

He said he loved everything about Villanova, including the professors, staff members and fans.

"I want to thank my teammates and coaches for helping me get to this point. My teammates are my brothers and will share a bond forever," he wrote. "I thank Coach [Jay] Wright for challenging me day in and day out all while loving me like a son. I would not be in the position I am today if it was not for him and the Villanova Basketball program."

He said he had gathered all the information possible.

"I thank everyone who has helped me reach this decision because it was not easy," he wrote. "I strive to get better as a person and a player every day, everything that Villanova has instilled in me will allow me to reach all goals I have in mind. Thank you, everyone, who has supported me and the continuous support going forward. Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat. I love you Nova Nation.”

Most draft projections have DiVincenzo as a late first-round or early second-round pick. He scored 31 points off the bench to spark Villanova’s 79-62 NCAA championship win over Michigan at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

DiVincenzo was named Big East Sixth Man of the Year in 2017-18. He averaged 13.4 points, which ranked third on the Wildcats (36-4), and 4.8 rebounds in 40 games, including 10 starts, mostly in place of injured Phil Booth.

At Salesianum, DiVincenzo was on state championship teams – the school’s first in basketball – as a junior and senior and was state player of the year as a senior.

“Donte has handled this process intelligently and received very positive feedback from the NBA teams about his prospects in this year’s draft,” Wright said in a Villanova statement. “We fully support this decision and are excited about what the future holds for him at the next level. Donte is an outstanding young man and the Nova Nation will always take pride in his accomplishments.”

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @kevintresolini.