Villanova's Mikal Bridges to enter NBA draft

Villanova junior Mikal Bridges has elected to enter the NBA draft, the 6-foot-7 wing announced on ESPN's "Get Up!"

The Wildcats standout will finish his college career a two-time national champion (2016, 2018), a third-team AP All-American (2018), the Big East tournament MVP (2018), and the reigning Julius Erving Award winner as the top collegiate small forward in the country.

Bridges improved steadily year by year in his four seasons in Jay Wright's program, which included a redshirt 2014-15 season. After averaging eight points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game from 2015-2017, the 21-year-old broke out with 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior. That magical season culminated with 19 points and a win against Michigan in the national title game earlier this month.

For his part, Bridges is confident he has plenty to offer in the professional ranks.

"I bring winning to your team," he said, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. "I learned about that at Villanova, what is a winning, championship atmosphere, and what you've got to do to achieve it. You have to always be locked in. Two championships in three years - not a lot of people have done that."