VILLANOVA, Pa. – On a night when both were honored for their Villanova accomplishments, Jalen Brunson and Jay Wright met with the media in the Gibbs Family Press Room prior to Wednesday night's Wildcats' BIG EAST triumph over DePaul.

Excerpts from their remarks are below. In addition, Brunson and Wright joined Ryan Arcidiacono and head coach Kyle Neptune for a unique conversation following the game on the "Talking Villanova Basketball podcast presented by Hartford Funds". That episode dropped Thursday (Feb. 9) and can be found wherever you retrieve your favorite podcasts.

Wright on Brunson's development in the NBA: "I know him. I have watched him since he was a young kid. He is a born scorer and leader – which is rare. Most guys are scorers and not leaders. Or they're leaders who aren't scorers. He is born to do (both).

"I never even asked Jalen this, but I knew when he decided to go to New York, I thought that was something they would give him the opportunity to do. I'm not surprised at all to see his success. I'm very impressed that (Knicks executive) Leon Rose saw that and knew that. I'm enjoying watching Jalen, but not surprised by (his success)."

Wright asked about a moment that stands out to him about Brunson from when the two were together with the Wildcats: "Probably, back when I used to take him out at the end of games as a freshman for defense/offense. He got mad at me. He said 'you're making me look bad.' I told him, 'everyone has seen you play defense. You better get better defensively. I'm not hiding it. Everybody sees it.'

He just said, "all right'. And he went and became a great defensive player. I tell young guys that story all the time – the guys who are worried about what they look like for the NBA (scouts)."

In comments to the media Tuesday, Neptune shared a memory of Brunson's composure and positive attitude when foul trouble kept him on the sidelines for chunks of the 2018 NCAA championship game victory over Michigan. Brunson was asked about that.

Brunson: "As a player, that's probably not my favorite memory. I just had a mindset – and I think I still have the same mindset – to do whatever it takes to win. At that point in time I wasn't able to be on the court. I just needed to find a way to lead, to encourage the guys to continue to fight. Especially at that point in time, there's no time for egos or self-pity in a national championship game. You've just got to be able to do whatever you can. At that point, for me it was to be a cheerleader.

"For me, it's always been about what can I give the team? At that point, it was (being positive from the bench)."

Brunson on the honor of having his No. 1 jersey retired: "I've said this a couple of time this week: I didn't come here to get my jersey retired or be honored in any way. I came in to be a part of something special. I came here to help a team win. I came here to be with a special group of men. The things we were able to accomplish in a short period of time is beyond special. The fact that this is happening is amazing.

"I don't take it lightly. I know it's a great accomplishment. I don't really have the words for it right now. I just want to take in the moment, just enjoy it and be happy."

Brunson on being coached by Wright: "It was a humbling experience. Coach is special. The way he was able to push me, even when I thought I had accomplished something, was (special). Sometimes, it was like, 'when's enough, enough?' He just kept pushing me.

"I don't think I would have wanted it any other way. I grew up with that. I came here and it was the same. I was prepared for it, but Coach Wright, he's a perfectionist. The fact that he wanted me to get better, even when I was doing things at a pretty high level, just shows you what he saw in me. I can't thank him enough for that."

Wright on sharing the spotlight with Brunson on this night: "I apologized to him about that. This is his night, really. Because I'm doing TV on weekends, I come to the weeknight (Villanova) games. I was coming anyway for him. I checked to make sure he was OK with this part of it.

"This is his night. I am so proud of him. You've heard it here from him. This is a great player that is humble and intelligent enough to know that he has to get better. He understands that when coaches are pushing him, they must see something in him. They're not criticizing. It's the perfect package. That's why he's one of the greatest of all time. It's why he's going to be one of the greatest of all-time in the NBA.

"It's a unique combination. I really credit his parents, Rick and Sandra. That's the way he was brought up. He was coached that way when he was young. There are players that aren't as talented as him who don't want to be pushed that way."

Brunson: "This is the only way I get to see Coach Wright. He doesn't come see me down the Shore or play golf (laughter).

"It's special to share this night with him because of what this man has meant to me and my family. I wouldn't want it any other way. I came here to play for a Hall of Fame coach, the fact he's sitting right next to me on this night is special."