Villanova in the Pros: Two TD Returns for Benford, Brunson Starring

Villanova alumni continue to dominate in the pros, with basketball products like Jalen Brunson continuing at an All-Star pace, stamping their mark on the league like Collin Gillespie, now a major contributor after years in the G-League, or racking up defensive touchdowns like Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford.

Benford, who signed a four-year, $76 million extension in the offseason, found the end zone in each of the past two weeks, helping to swing the game in the Bills’ favor in both instances. Against the Steelers on Nov. 30, he scooped up a fumble and returned it to the end zone, helping Buffalo take the lead out of the half. Four plays later he brought down an interception, setting up another touchdown drive.

Benford then helped Buffalo seize momentum in a back-and-forth game in the snow against the Bengals, coming in on a corner blitz and leaping to intercept a pass that quarterback Joe Burrow attempted to loft over his head. He stepped out of Burrow’s tackle attempt and raced 63 yards to the end zone, giving the Bills a 31-28 lead with under six minutes to play.

Villanova Knicks

The Knicks wavered early in the season as Brunson and Josh Hart, his Villanova roommate, dealt with injuries, but they are now off to the races with a 17-7 record good for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference and a semifinal bid in the NBA Cup. Brunson, an All-Star Game starter last year, has the league’s eighth-best scoring output with 28.3 points per game. He continues to pass at a high level as well, his 6.3 assists per game good for the No. 16 spot.

Hart continues to do a little of everything, averaging 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Back in the starting lineup after beginning the season on the bench, Hart is also drawing comparisons to 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala for the intangible impact he has on the Knicks. Mikal Bridges, the third of the Villanova Knicks trio, is improving after a rough first season in Manhattan, leading the team in steals (2.0) and blocks (1.1) while adding 16.4 PPG and 4.3 assists per game. His three-point success rate is up to 41 percent, the second-best mark of his career, after posting his second-worst last season.

Gillespie is now a clutch contributor off the bench in Phoenix, putting up 13.1 points in 27 minutes per night and sinking 42.6 percent of his shots from three. He also made this game-winner against the Timberwolves and fellow Villanova alumnus Donte DiVincenzo.