In this edition of the Nova Notebook we meet Aleksandar Gavalyugov, a native son of Sofia, Bulgaria, who signed a financial aid agreement to enroll at Villanova this fall as a member of the Men's Basketball team.
 
At a moment in time when there are more avenues than ever to identify and highlight rising basketball talent, the actual sleeper prospect has become a rarity of sorts. But it's hard to describe a 6-2 guard who is best known to his new teammates as 'Sash' Gavalyugov, in any other way.
 
Prior to a breakout performance in May at the adidas Youth Camp, Gavalyugov was, to most, an obscure name on a recruiting list. While he had a handful of Division I offers after a year spent at the NBA Global Academy in Australia, he hoped that he could open more eyes at the adidas EuroCamp.
 
That is exactly how it played out. Gavalyugov was a revelation, averaging 15.7 points and 6.3 assists per contest at the event, having fully recovered from a back injury that disrupted his 2023-24 season in Australia. Soon after, the versatile guard held an offer from a school he has described as his "dream" destination. A few weeks later he was on campus, meeting his new teammates and learning how to make his way around the Villanova campus.
 
"It's been a little hectic," said Gavalyugov, who spent a few days on campus earlier this month acclimating himself to his future home before returning to Bulgaria.
 
In truth, this 18-year-old has lived and breathed basketball for as long as he can remember. He recalls playing in his first game at the age of four alongside youngsters as much as six years older.
 
"I've always played up against older kids," he says in English, a language he speaks fluently after honing it during his time in Australia. "That's helped build my game."
 
Gavalyugov comes by the sport naturally. Both of his parents were high-level players and his father spent hours schooling him in the basics. As a former point guard himself, that expertise was essential to the growth of his son's game. From his grandfather, parents and aunts and uncles comes a deep family connection to the game.
 
"Everyone in my family," he states, "plays basketball. It has always come naturally to me. I feel like when I played against players two or three years older than me, I am at the same (level). When I play against guys my own age, I feel like I am going against younger guys. It feels different."
 
Of course, that trait bodes well as he enters college for the first time. Teammates such as Eric Dixon, Jordan Longino, Jhamir Brickus, Wooga Poplar and Enoch Boakye have 4-5 years on him.
 
"Having played up against older guys," he notes, "I think will help me as a freshman."
 
Gavalyugov brings extensive international FIBA youth experience with him to Villanova. It began around the age of 10 with his club team and by the time he was 13, he had been chosen to represent Bulgaria in various FIBA sponsored tournaments.
 
In the summer of 2023, the guard was faced with a choice as he charted his next step. There were offers for him to attend high-level European basketball academies along with another to head Down Under to the NBA Global Academy.
 
"The NBA Global Academy could prepare me to go to college (in the United States)," he explains. "It taught me a whole new style of play and prepared my body for college. I decided I wanted to go to college."
 
A back injury that sidelined him for a lengthy stretch last season was an unforeseen roadblock. That setback didn't enhance his profile among suitors but there were benefits in Gavalyugov's mind.
 
"I used the time to work on my body, gain some weight and I learned how to do a better job of playing through contact," he states. "I improved the fundamentals and can play at a faster tempo."
 
This spring, the guard received a call from Villanova. That commenced a process that moved quickly. Gavalyugov connected with head coach Kyle Neptune and staff via Zoom and an offer followed. His obligations in Bulgaria didn't allow time for a visit prior to his signing the agreement, but the young guard felt he had all the information he needed to reach a decision.
 
"I'm just here for the opportunity," he stated. "Once I received the offer, I didn't feel I needed a visit. We talked for a while about my career and what Villanova is all about. I'm excited."
 
The guard has been a fan of the Wildcats dating back to 2017-18, when Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Phil Booth and friends rolled to a 36-4 record and the school's second NCAA national championship in three seasons. As an international athlete it wasn't always easy to follow the Wildcats in the years since, but Gavalyugov never lost his affinity for the program's standards.
 
After his visit to campus, Gavalyugov returned to Bulgaria as he is slated to be part of his country's entry in the FIBA U18 Junior Championships later this month. In August he will board a flight to Philadelphia International Airport in time for Villanova's Freshman Orientation alongside teammates Matthew Hodge, Josiah Moseley and Malcolm Thomas. His short time on campus helped him start to build a bond with his new teammates.
 
"The seniors," he noted, "are already taking care of me. I feel like they're my older brothers already. And it's great to have three other freshmen here to help me too."
 
Gavalyugov will be surrounded by quite a bit of backcourt experience in 2024-25. Jhamir Brickus is an established lead guard and Longino has been featured at the spot at times in his Villanova career. Wooga Poplar and Tyler Perkins are proven scorers and willing passers at the guard position.
 
Yet Gavalyugov has the kind of hoops skills that every program craves. He's a sound decision-maker with the kind of shooting range that forces defenders to honor his passes. How that translates to the American game that he has studied from afar will help determine his path.
 
"I know people may not be familiar with me," he adds, "but I'm here to try to help our team win. That's the important thing. I can't wait to get started."