Despite the Golden State Warriors league-worst 15-50 record, members of the 2019-20 squad are still earning hardware.
On Tuesday, the league announced the 2020 All-Rookie Teams. Alongside Ja Morant and Zion Williamson, Golden State’s second-round pick Eric Paschall earned a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team.
To celebrate Paschall’s nod, his former coach at Villanova shared a letter to the newly crowned All-Rookie First Team member. In his letter, Wright congratulated Paschall for joining a fraternity of former Villanova alumni to earn All-Rookie team honors.
Read Wright’s full letter via @warriors on Twitter:
"We're proud of you as an NBA All-Rookie team member, but more proud of the man you are!"
Villanova men's basketball head coach Jay Wright penned a letter to Eric Paschall on behalf of 'Nova Nation. pic.twitter.com/YohuKq9YLl
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 15, 2020
Wright also chimed in on Twitter with a pair of tweets to celebrate Paschall’s accomplishment. The two-time championship coach credited Golden State’s rookie for being “an exemplary Wildcat.”
Via @VUCoachJWright on Twitter:
Hard work and sacrifice paying off for our man @epaschall !! We’re proud of everything E does on and off the court – an exemplary Wildcat !! #OnceAWildcatAlwaysAWildcat #HumbleAndHungry pic.twitter.com/PEftllqwMo
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) September 15, 2020
Incredibly proud of our man Eric – joined VU legends Wali Jones, @Kerry_Kittles30, Tim Thomas and @randyfoye as @NBA All-Rookie Team members . Way to go @epaschall !pic.twitter.com/qQacDXRekj
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) September 16, 2020
During his time with Wright at Villanova, Paschall played a key role in the Wildcats run through the tournament in 2018 for the NCAA Championship.
As a senior, Paschall earned First Team All-Big East honors, averaging 16.5 points on 44.7% shooting from the field with 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest.
