Jay Wright On NBA Job Offers: 'I've Been Able To Say No'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Just a few days after winning the National Championship, Villanova head coach Jay Wright told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show that he doesn't think he would listen to NBA job offers.
Two months later, a day after his team was honored by President Obama at the White House, Wright said he did in fact turn down NBA teams.
"Yes," Wright said Wednesday on 94WIP when asked if he received calls from NBA teams. "In our business, we all know each other, so it doesn't have to be an NBA general manager or president call my agent. We all know each other. So, they'd call me and congratulate me and talk to me about a play, and then say, 'Would you be interested?' And I've been able to say no. I love my job.
Listen: Jay Wright on the 94WIP Morning Show
"I love the NBA. I've been watching these games now, they're unbelievable," Wright continued. "I'd love to coach there, but I wouldn't want to give up my job to do it. I love my job, I love coaching at Villanova. I love what we can do. I really feel fortunate and I don't want to mess with being happy somewhere, to take the chance somewhere. I really like my job."
Speaking of the NBA, Philadelphia's pro team has the No. 1 overall pick and will choose between Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram on June 23rd.
"Look at where they are right now, think about what we went through with that process," Wright said of the 76ers. "We're past it. We made it. We lived through it, now we're in a great spot."
After hedging on who he would take with the first-overall pick, Wright was asked if he could teach someone to shoot?
"Yes," Wright said. "Especially in the NBA where they have the time. They have so much time, you could become a better shooter. But if a guy didn't grow up as a great shooter, believing in himself as a great shooter, he's never gonna be the guy in the NBA that is a great shooter. Like LeBron James, did not grow up as a great shooter. He's a good shooter, but when the game is on the line, he doesn't want to take a jump shot. He wants to drive it. Steph Curry has always believed in himself as a great shooter. When the game is on the line, he'll take a three-pointer and have great confidence in making it."