SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Villanova guard Jalen Brunson is The Associated Press men’s college basketball player of the year.
The 6-3 junior is being presented with the award Thursday at the Final Four, where the Wildcats are chasing their second national championship in three seasons. He earned 36 of 65 votes from AP Top 25 writers with ballots submitted before the start of the NCAA Tournament.
Brunson’s father, Rick, once played as import for Ginebra in 1998.
Oklahoma freshman Trae Young was second with 15 votes after leading the country in scoring and assists. Arizona freshman Deandre Ayton earned seven votes, followed by Duke freshman Marvin Bagley III with four votes. All three have all declared for the NBA draft.
Brunson is averaging 19.2 points and shooting nearly 53 percent entering Saturday’s national semifinal against Kansas. He’s the first Villanova player to win the AP award.
