NEW YORK – Villanova guard Jalen Brunson has been chosen 2017-18 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s head coaches. Wildcat forward Omari Spellman was named Preseason Freshman of the Year. The coaches, who were not permitted to place their own players on their ballots, also chose an All-BIG EAST First Team, All-BIG EAST Second Team and All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.
Brunson, a 6-3 junior from Lincolnshire, Ill., averaged 14.1 points and 4.1 assists for the Wildcats. His assist average ranked second in the BIG EAST. His assist/turnover ratio of +2.