The second in a spring series of Nova Notebook features profiling members of the 2019-20 Wildcats zeroes in on sophomore Brandon Slater.
 
                The expression is an old reliable within the walls of the Davis Center and is so for a very good reason: it has stood the test of time.
 
                "Run your own race."
 
                It's a nugget that reflects a larger truth: not every college athlete reaches peak performance at the same point in a developmental arc. Examples of this over the recent eras of Villanova Basketball are plentiful.
 
                Dwayne Anderson was a seldom used reserve during his first two seasons in the Blue and White from 2005-07. However, in his final two seasons he emerged as a team captain and cornerstone of a unit that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2008 and NCAA Final Four in 2009. Today, he is the program's Director of Operations.
 
                Pressed into service as a freshman in 2011-12, 18 year old Darrun Hilliard saw his minutes shrink when the Wildcats stepped into BIG EAST play. One year later, he was in the first of three straight seasons as a starter, the last of which saw him honored as a second team All-American as Villanova swept to 2015 BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles during a 33-3 campaign.
 
                Darryl Reynolds spent his first two seasons on the fringe of the playing rotation, seeing spot minutes behind Daniel Ochefu and JayVaughn Pinkston. In 2015-16, he earned a place as a trusted reserve on a national championship team and then, as a senior, stepping into a starting role for a 32-4 team that won both BIG EAST titles.
 
                Like those former Wildcats, Brandon Slater's earliest days at Villanova have required patience. Much of his progress has taken places within the walls of the Davis Center practice court. Yet no one in the team's inner circle will be surprised if he uses that perseverance to make his own imprint on the team in the next two seasons.
 
                "Brandon's been unbelievable," states Wildcats assistant coach Kyle Neptune. "Even though he hasn't seen the kind of minutes he probably hoped for early in his career, he's always maintained a positive approach. Every time he comes into a game, he brings us great energy."
 
                Slater's role expanded in 2019-20. After logging just 52 total minutes in games as a freshman in 2018-19, Slater earned himself more consistent rotation minutes as a sophomore. The Virginia native appeared in all 31 games, averaging 11.5 minutes per outing.
 
                "Brandon's length and athleticism are his calling cards," noted Neptune. "This season he got to use his energy to make an impact defensively in games."
 
                Slater's athletic gifts helped lift him to a No. 52 ranking in the espn.com Top 100 as a senior at Paul VI High School. But the nuances of the college game took time for him to digest.
 
                "In high school, a lot of times you are the most athletic guy out there," he said recently by phone. "That's not the way it is at this level. Everyone was the best player or most athletic guy on their high school team. You have to understand the details of what our team is doing and what the opponent is trying to do.
 
                "I've definitely learned a lot about the game since I came to college."
 
                Slater offered tantalizing hints of the possibilities, especially at the defensive end of the floor. He was tasked with being a defensive disruptor and his skills seem especially well-suited for the top of the Wildcats' 1-3-1 ¾ court trap. That's a spot that Hilliard and Mikal Bridges used to great affect in previous seasons and Slater occupied at times in 2019-20.
 
                "Just the idea that the coaches think highly enough of you to put you in that spot means a lot," Slater said. "Whenever that chance came, I tried to make the most of it."
 
                Part of the reason Slater was able to assume more responsibility was added strength. Though he remains a lithe athlete, he is substantially stronger than when he arrived at Nova.
 
                "I definitely need to give Coach Shack and Uncle Jeff a shout-out for that," states Slater, referencing Strength Coach John Shackleton and Head Athletic Trainer Jeff Pierce. "I've gotten bigger and stronger and I can feel that in my game."
 
                When asked for a 2019-20 highlight, Slater's choice underlines the selfless approach that has endeared him to teammates, coaches and staff.
 
                "I thought our win at Creighton was beautiful," he stated of a 64-59 triumph in Omaha on Jan. 7. "We were on the road against a great team, it was a dog fight, we didn't make shots for a long time and trailed most of the night. We kept fighting and somehow found a way to get a win in the end."
 
                The next step on the Slater growth chart is likely to come at the offensive end of the floor. He attempted just 53 shots in 31 games and connected on .377 of them.
 
                "Brandon's worked on his shot and will continue to do that," Neptune said. "When his shot becomes more consistent, that's going to open up a lot for him and allow everyone to see the kind of finisher he can be around the rim."
 
                These days Slater is concentrating on finishing strong as the end of this most unusual spring semester winds to its conclusion. With the aid of the aid of Villanova's Office of Academic Support, led by Jenn Brophy, and OAS staffer Marissa Paffas, Slater now feels comfortable in the online learning format.
 
                As for the basketball side of matters, Slater remains upbeat as he ponders the message that has served more than a handful of his predecessors so well.
 
                "It's just like Coach Wright says, I'm running my race," said Slater. "I'm not comparing myself to anyone else. I've learned a lot these last two years. My time will come."
 
                The 2019-20 Villanova Basketball season – the program's 100^th – is presented by Hartford Funds and Coca-Cola.