Every collegiate basketball head coach demands excellence from their players and expects strict adherence to tactics and game plans. Jalen Brunson experienced this firsthand during the 2017-18 season when his Villanova Wildcats teammates disregarded head coach Jay Wright 's instructions, which resulted in them losing their fourth contest in a row. Moreover, Wright’s frustration was so intense that he not only threatened to revamp the entire team but also cussed his players vehemently.
Brunson on Wright cussing out the Villanova players
The 2017-18 Wildcats boasted a roster filled with talented scores like Mikal Bridges, Jalen, and Donte DiVincenzo. After beginning the campaign with an impressive 13-game winning streak, Jay rightfully anticipated thorough dominance. However, since early February, his team has stumbled, losing two of their first seven games in the month before facing Creighton Bluejays on February 24.
As the game went to overtime, Villanova players abandoned their established principles and executed plays at their discretion. Consequently, they were outscored 17-11 in OT, resulting in an 89-83 loss, their third in six games. Despite all starters scoring in double digits, Wright was infuriated by his team’s 39 3-point attempts—a strategy that wasn't aligned with his offensive philosophy, resulting in a mere 30.8% efficiency from long range.
Related: "I think he taught Michael Jordan how to play" - Shawn Kemp credits controversial ex-Bull for MJ's growth as a player
After the loss, Jay initially instructed his assistant coaches to keep him from addressing the players. However, he eventually succumbed to the urge to express his displeasure. Tears later, Brunson hilariously recalled the players’ expressions after witnessing Wright's unfiltered wrath.
"He said, 'Yo guys, Mikal, Jalen, I know you guys are probably leaving after this year, whatever y'all do, I'm with it. I love you all," Brunson recalled . "As for the rest of you MFs, y’all better get in line or I’m starting over. I’m not doing this sh*t over again. I promise you, I'll start this over from scratch. I don't care. This is what I'll do.' We were like, 'Is he for real?'"
Villanova Wildcats took that in the right way
While watching your head coach tear into the team can be pretty demoralizing, the Wildcats took it the right way and managed to string together an impressive 11-game winning streak, ultimately notching the NCAA Championship.
It is safe to state that coach Wright’s methods were strict and uncompromising, but that is exactly why players like Brunson, Bridges, and DiVincenzo have made names for themselves despite being undersized for their positions in the NBA.
Related: Carmelo Anthony explains the meteoritic rise of Jalen Brunson in NY: "This is Broadway, I gotta perform every single night"
Most Popular
Comments / 0