Former Trevian Jake Fiegen picks Villanova

His pick is in.

Jake Fiegen, a 2023 New Trier graduate and All-Ivy League college basketball player, will play for Villanova next year, a decision he announced via his Instagram page on Saturday, April 18.

Villanova, one of the nation’s top collegiate basketball programs, won Fiegen’s favor over his three other finalists (Northwestern, Virginia, Vanderbilt), and the school made the signing of Fiegen official with a media release on Thursday, April 23.

“We’re excited to welcome Jake to Villanova,” Villanova head coach Kevin Willard said in a statement. “Jake is a high-energy player who combines elite shooting skill with toughness at both ends of the court. His experience and tenacity will have a great impact on our team.”

After two seasons with Cornell, Fiegen reclassified as an early graduate and signed with an agent, setting up his final season with the Big Red, a breakout effort from the Wilmette native.

In this third collegiate season, Fiegen averaged 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, made 41.4% of his three-pointers and earned First Team All-Ivy League honors.

The season made Fiegen a prize in the transfer portal, and he narrowed his destinations to four in early April.

During his high school years, Fiegen was a three-year starter for the varsity Trevians. He scored a school-record 748 points (21 points per game) his senior season, leading New Trier to a third-place finish in IHSA Class 4A.

Villanova is a national power, winning NCAA Tournament championships in 2018 and 2016 and making the tournament each season from 2013-2022 (winning eight Big East titles in that time). The Wildcats returned to the tournament this past season after a three-year hiatus and finished with a 24-9 season in which they were 15-5 in the Big East.

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