PHILADELPHIA – Ryan Arcidiacono left behind a puddle of sweat and a good impression Monday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. That those were two of the outcomes from his morning workout with the Sixers seemed appropriate. “It went well,” said Arcidiacono, perspiration collecting at his feet and on the PCOM practice gym padded wall as he spoke with local reporters after wrapping up his on-court activities. “It was good to be back home, and work out for a team that I grew up loving and watching.”A Langhorne, Pennsylvania native and product of Neshaminy High School, the 22-year old point guard authored one of the finer careers in Villanova history. He was named captain as a freshman(!), a first in the Jay Wright era, and held on to that designation through his senior season, which netted the Wildcats their second national championship.Along the way, Arcidiacono, demonstrated that, in addition to bringing valuable intangibles to the floor, he could play, too. He was recognized as Big East Player of the Year in 2015, and was tabbed the Most Outstanding Player of the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Arcidiacono’s mindset and approach, however, have consistently shined at every level. “He’s just competitive,” said Vince Rozman, the Sixers’ Director of Basketball Operations / Scouting Innovation. “In drills, in one-on-one competition, in shooting drills, he just wants to win. That’s endearing. He plays hard, he’s vocal. You’re not a captain of your team for four years without being a competitive kid. It’s impressive.”Over the course of his stint on the Main Line, Arcidiacono averaged a steady 11.1 points per game, and generated at least 4.0 assists per game in each of his four years. The three-time All-Philadelphia Big 5 selection never missed a single one of the 144 contests Villanova played during his tenure, logging 4,592 minutes, the second-highest total ever in the Big East.”It’s just been crazy, honestly,” said Arcidiacono, reflecting on the two months that have passed since he and the Wildcats defeated North Carolina for the NCAA title. Since then, there have been victory celebrations, appearances at a slew of local events, and last month’s visit to the White House.Behind the scenes video from yesterday’s trip to The White House – more to follow! #NovaNation #NationalChamps https://t.co/HXGibyfWNp— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) June 1, 2016 “It’s been really crazy,” Arcidiacono said. “I’m glad it’s settling down now so I can focus on the next chapter with these NBA workouts, and hopefully summer league.”On the heels of Villanova’s season, Arcidiacono temporarily relocated to Maryland in order to intensify his training, and improve his chances of breaking into the NBA. His itinerary sent him to Houston and Denver last week, and he’s due in New Orleans Tuesday for his 12th and final workout. “Just trying to do what I do best — handle, shoot the ball, and just lead the lead the team and be vocal in these workouts,” said Arcidiacono, who credited Wright for incorporating pro-style drills into Villanova’s practices. “I’m not going to do anything that’s out of the ordinary for me, because I think my best chance to make it in this league is to keep doing what I do, because people know what I do.”Several former members of the Villanova men’s basketball program who are now with the Sixers – assistant coach Billy Lange and player development scout Curtis Sumpter among them – guided Arcidiacono through Monday’s workout. The session placed him in front of a larger-than-usual group of observes that included Sixers’ President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo, head coach Brett Brown, organization scouts, and Jerry Colangelo, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer who currently serves as a special advisor to the Sixers. The scouting staff and the elder Colangelo recently reported to Philadelphia to assist the team with its preparations for the NBA Draft.Arcidiacono expressed optimism about hearing his name called Thursday, and sounded like he would be more than willing to suit up for any one of the NBA’s 30 squads. But, he acknowledged the sentiment would be that much more special if he somehow landed with the Sixers. “It’d mean the world,” Arcidiacono said. “Growing up…I wanted to play for Villanova, and then eventually play for the Sixers. Never really thought I could play in the NBA until I got to college, and started excelling. My junior year, I thought there was an actual chance.”Arcidiacono was the fifth Big 5 prospect – along with fellow Wildcat Josh Hart, Saint Joseph’s DeAndre’ Bembry and Isaiah Miles, and Temple’s Jaylen Bond – to be evaluated by the Sixers in-house since pre-draft workouts began last month.”For us, it’s easy with all the talent coming through the city,” said Rozman. “It’s just natural, plus with [NBA Development League affiliate the Delaware 87ers] there’s a lot of opportunity for them to come be in our program. Plus, we know the coaches, we know the team well. It’s good for the city.”Whether in Philadelphia or somewhere else, Arcidiacono has caught the NBA’s attention. Now, he has just a few more days to wait before finding out whether his combination of work ethic and skill will be enough to make him one of the 60 picks in this year’s draft.
Behind the scenes video from yesterday’s trip to The White House – more to follow! #NovaNation #NationalChamps https://t.co/HXGibyfWNp
