39) JOHN PINONE

39. John Pinone: Villanova – (1979-83) Hartford, CT

Three years in the Big East: 16.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 55.2 FG%, 79.5 FT%

Four year career overall: 16.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 55.7 FG%, 77.9 FT%

A scrappy, smart, all round hustler who got every bit of his talent to come out on to the floor. Pinone was a success right away in his career as he lead the Wildcats with 14.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg, while shooting 57.3% from the field. He is still the only player in the program to lead the team in scoring as a freshman. The following season Villanova joined the Big East and Pinone didn’t miss a beat by averaging 15.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, and 2.0 apg as a sophomore, while shooting 55.4% from the field and 78.9% from the line. Despite the arrival of Ed Pinckney in Pinone’s junior year, Pinone again showed his consistency with 17.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 56.5% from the field, and 75.0% from the line. With Pinckney blossoming during Pinone’s senior year, his points and rebounds dropped to 16.7 ppg and 5.5 rpg as a senior, but he was still excellent in other facets of his game with 1.9 apg, 53.6% from the field, and 84.6% from the line. He was First Team all-conference at the end of his last three seasons and Third Team All-American as a senior.

For his career, Pinone had 2,024 points and grabbed 837 rebounds. But Pinone’s career was much more than stats. The 6’8” center set the tone for a future Villanova National Championship by showing a strong work ethic and mentoring Pinckney. Pinone played just seven games in the NBA, then eventually played professionally in Spain for eight more seasons, where he was a star.

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