Best Villanova basketball players: Wildcats all-time starting 5 – From Ed Pinckney to Jalen Brunson

PF – Ed Pinckney

Ed Pinckney’s name is synonymous with Villanova basketball. The 6-foot-9 forward from The Bronx was the leader of the first Wildcats team to win the national championship. Pinckney was a member of the highly-touted 1981 recruiting class for the school that also featured Dwayne McClain and Gary McLain. He was nothing but consistent during his time with the school.

His 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game career averages are right in line with the production he gave the team each of his four seasons. What makes him one of the most memorable players in Wildcats’ lore is the fact that he was the star player on the team that upset the mighty Georgetown Hoyas who had Patrick Ewing and David Wingate on their side in the 1985 NCAA Tournament.

To this day, that game is still revered as one of the all-time great upsets. It also helped cement the status of the beloved Massimino as one of the best coaches in college basketball during the time. Pinckney tallied 16 points, six rebounds and five assists in that game, which led to him being named Most Outstanding Player of that tournament. Before Wright revitalized the program, Pinckney was the face of Villanova basketball.

Besides being a national champion, Pinckney also has a Robert V. Geasey Trophy on his resume. That award was given to the best player in the Philadelphia Big 5. He was also selected twice to the All-Big East team (1983 and 1985). His No. 54 jersey also is retired by the school.

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