Cremo picks Villanova

PHOTOGRAPHER: File Photo

Joe Cremo will play next season for Villanova.

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ALBANY — Joe Cremo has made his decision.

He is headed to Villanova, NCAA men’s basketball’s reigning national champion.

News of Cremo’s decision was first reported Tuesday morning by Zach Bye on Twitter. Bye, a radio host in Denver who previously was a co-host of “Big Board Sports” on ESPN Radio 104.5 The Team, is a close friend and confidant of Cremo.

It’s my flat out privilege to pass along the news that my guy @JCremo24, someone who many of us have watched grow up before our eyes, will play his final year of college hoops for the reigning National Champions, @NovaMBB!!
YOU’RE BUILT FOR THIS.
Now go earn it all over again! pic.twitter.com/cA088MfjCq

— Zach Bye (@byesline) May 8, 2018

Later, Cremo tweeted out confirmation of his decision.

pic.twitter.com/RNkwspSeu5

— Joe Cremo (@JCremo24) May 8, 2018

“I just wanted to thank everyone from Albany who has helped me get to this point in my life and I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world, it has made me who I am today,” part of Cremo’s tweet said. “I also want to thank Coach [Will] Brown and his staff along with all my other previous coaches to this point, that have helped me become a better player and person.”

Cremo, who starred at Scotia-Glenville High School before doing the same for the University at Albany men’s basketball program for the last three seasons, was considered one of the top graduate transfers this men’s college basketball offseason. Cremo was a first-team America East selection this past season when he averaged 17.8 points per game.

Cremo, a 6-foot-4 guard, had interest from more than 30 schools. He visited Creighton, Kansas, Texas and Villanova.

“Those four schools were ones that spent a lot of time with me,” Cremo said in an interview Tuesday morning on Big Board Sports.

Cremo didn’t respond to requests for comment from The Daily Gazette.

For his UAlbany career, Cremo averaged 14.7 points per game and scored 1,469 total points. In Cremo’s high school career, he scored 2,159 points and led Scotia to state championships as a junior and senior.

Along with UAlbany teammate and roommate David Nichols, Cremo announced his intention to transfer back in late March. Despite each playing this past season as juniors, both Cremo and Nichols are considered graduate transfers because of their academic standing and will be able to play next season without sitting.

Nichols, in early April, committed to play next season for Florida State. During his UAlbany career, Nichols averaged 13.8 points per game.

Cremo took more than a month to make his decision where he would finish his college career. Back in April, he said he had received interest from more than 30 schools within the first few days after he received his formal release from UAlbany.

After shooting 45.8 percent from 3-point territory last season, Cremo said a number of schools pitched to him the opportunity to come play for a team where his role would be to stand in a corner and shoot 3s. That type of role, he said, is not one he has any interest in filling.

“I know I’m more than that,” Cremo said in April.

No regrets from @JCremo24 about decision to leave @UAlbanyMBB https://t.co/qn4eY0HSWp pic.twitter.com/hnK9fdM0pn

— Daily Gazette Sports (@dgazettesports) April 12, 2018

In that sense, Villanova is an ideal fit for Cremo. Head coach Jay Wright’s perimeter-oriented offensive system is known for the freedom it allows his players.

“It just felt like the right spot,” Cremo said of Villanova.

During his radio interview, Cremo said he had received no promises about playing time other than a chance to compete for it.

“The opportunity’s there for me to go get,” Cremo said.

Reach Michael Kelly at [email protected] or @ByMichaelKelly on Twitter.