As expected, Villanova star forward Maddy Siegrist announced Monday that she will enter the 2023 WNBA draft and will not use her added COVID year of eligibility. The draft is scheduled for April 10 in New York.
The leading scorer in Villanova basketball history played four seasons for the Wildcats, the final one ending Friday at the NCAA Sweet 16. She spent five years on campus, including a medical redshirt as a freshman. Siegrist is projected as a first-round draft choice.
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”I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to have been a Villanova Wildcat,” Siegrist said in her own social media posting. “I can’t thank Villanova enough for welcoming me into the greatest community on Earth. From the first day I stepped on campus, I knew this would be my forever home. My college basketball career was everything that I dreamed of and more. However, when I look back on my career it is the people at Villanova and the relationships that I made that I am going to cherish forever.”
Siegrist led Villanova to a 30-7 record and that spot in the Sweet 16 this season by leading the country in scoring at 29.2 points per game to go with a 9.2 rebound average. She shot 51% from the field (403 of 790), 36.1% from three-point range, and 85.8% from the foul line.
“The statistical numbers that she recorded are going to be there forever which is so special when you see what Maddy accomplished throughout her amazing career,” Villanova coach Denise Dillon said in a statement. “With that said, when you leave your mark on people as Maddy has there is nothing greater. I think that is by far the greatest accomplishment as a student-athlete where you can be recognized as being an authentic person as opposed to just a great athlete. Maddy will continue to impact the world in whatever she does.”
Siegrist scored 20 or more points in all 37 games this year, including 17 games of 30 points or more. The stretch of 20-point games is the longest streak by any women’s or men’s Division I player this century. Her top scoring effort of the season came against Seton Hall on Feb. 11 when she had 50 points on 20-for-26 shooting.
Siegrist became the all-time leading scorer in the history of Villanova basketball this season for both men and women and finished her illustrious career with 2,896 points. She also became the all-time leading scorer in Big East Conference history for men and women with 1,693 points for regular-season conference games only.
Siegrist was named the Big East Player of the Year for a second consecutive season and she has earned first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press and USBWA. She is also one of four finalists for both the Naismith Player of the Year and the Wade Trophy.
Maddy Siegrist and the Villanova women's basketball team salute the fans after the Selection Sunday show for the women's NCAA Tournament on March 12, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (right) of Villanova celebrates after drawing a foul on Miami during the 4th quarter of their Sweet Sixteen NCAA Women's Tournament game in Greenville, South Carolina on March 24, 2023. Destiny Harden (left) and Lola Pendande of Miami disagree with the call.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (center) and Villanova teammates huddle before their game against Florida Gulf Coast in the 2nd round Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova shoots over a Florida Gulf Coast defender during the 2nd half of a 2nd round Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (left) of Villanova battles for the ball with Anaya Peoples, of DePaul during the first half of a Big East Tournament quarterfinals game on March 4 at Mohegan Sun In Uncasville, CT.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova shoots over Florida Gulf Coast defenders during the 2nd half of a 2nd round Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova is removed from their victory over Florida Gulf Coast to a standing ovation as the team advances in the Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (left) hugs Coach Denise Dillon of Villanova after their victory over Florida Gulf Coast to advance in the Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023. It was COach Dillon's 400thcareer victory.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Coach Denise Dillon (left) and Maddy Siegrist of Villanova walk off the court after their victory over Florida Gulf Coast in a 2nd round Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (center) of Villanova celebrates as she watches the ball drop through the basket after scoring and getting fouled against Cleveland State during the 1st half of a Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 18, 2023. The basket and foul shot put Siegrist 1000 points for the season.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (center) of Villanova celebrates with Kaitlyn Orihel (left) and Bella Runyan after scoring and getting fouled against Cleveland State during the 1st half of a Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 18, 2023. The basket and foul shot put Siegrist 100points for the season.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova is hugged by her mother after their victory over Florida Gulf Coast in a 2nd round Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova reacts after a UConn turnover during the 2nd half on Feb. 18, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova goes up for a shot against Anaya Peoples (center) of DePaul during the 2nd half on Feb. 21, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova shoots over Karla Erjavec of Miami during the 2nd half of their Sweet Sixteen NCAA Women's Tournament game in Greenville, South Carolina on March 24, 2023.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova pulls down a rebound against UConn during the first half on Feb. 18, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova drives the baseline against Creighton during the Big East Tournament semifinal game on March 5, 2023 at Mohegan Sun In Uncasville, CT.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Villanova hosted Hoops Mania to kick off the season the upcoming season for the men's and women's teams on Oct. 1, 2022. Maddy Siegrist runs out on the court.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Villanova hosted Hoops Mania to kick off the season the upcoming season for the men's and women's teams on Oct. 1, 2022. Maddy Siegrist runs out on the court.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist, right, of Villanova is presented with the Big East women's player of the year trophy by Valerie B. Ackerman, Commissioner of the Big East before the game against Creighton in the Big East Tournament semifinal game on March 5, 2023 at Mohegan Sun In Uncasville, CT.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddie Siegrist (left) of Villanova was honored during a Big East Tournament game at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 2023. She was the Big East player of the year and female scholar of the year.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (center) of Villanova was honored before the game against Marquette on Feb. 1, 2023 for breaking the school scoring record for both men ans women at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Siegrist broke the record during a game at Creighton on Jan. 20. Athletic Director Mark Jackson is left and coach Denise Dillon is right. The event also celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (left) is presented with a ceremonial basketball by Coach Denise Dillon (right) of Villanova for scoring over 2,000 points in her career prior to the game against St. Joseph's on Dec. 10, 2022 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Siegrist added 31 points to her career total in the game.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova was honored before the game against Marquette on Feb. 1, 2023 for breaking the school scoring record for both men ans women at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Siegrist broke the record during a game at Creighton on Jan. 20. She tosses the commenorative ball to her teammates.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Young fans of Maddy Siegrist of Villanova at their game against Providence on Feb. 24, 2022 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
It was senior night at Villanova. Maddy Siegrist and Brooke Mullin were honored before Villanova's game against Providence on Feb. 24, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Fans and family of Siegrist were out in numbers.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
The packed Villanova student section for the game against Florida Gulf Coast in the Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova shoots over DePaul defenders during the 2nd half on Feb. 21, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova goes up for a basket against Creighton during the Big East Tournament semifinal game on March 5, 2023 at Mohegan Sun In Uncasville, CT.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist and Villanova huddle after their victory over Cleveland State in a Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 18, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
L-R: Brooke Mullin, Denise Dillon, Maddy Siegrist, Lucy Olsen and the Villanova women's basketball team celebrate as they watch the Selection Sunday show for the women's NCAA Tournament on March 12, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova shoots against Creighton during the first half of a Big East Tournament semifinal game on March 5, 2023 at Mohegan Sun In Uncasville, CT.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
It was senior night at Villanova. Maddy Siegrist and Brooke Mullin were honored before Villanova's game against Providence on Feb. 24, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Maddy Siegrist is escorted by her parents.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (left) of Villanova is hugged by associate head coach Joe Mullaney during Senior Night ceremonies before their game against Providence on Feb. 24, 2022 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
It was senior night at Villanova. Maddy Siegrist (left center) and Brooke Mullin were honored before Villanova's game against Providence on Feb. 24, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova is greeted by family and friends after the game. Siegrist was honored before the game against Marquette on Feb. 1, 2023 for breaking the school scoring record for both men ans women at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Siegrist broke the record during a game at Creighton on Jan. 20.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
L-R: Megan Olbrys, Lucy Olsen, and Maddy Siegrist of Villanova after their win over Marquette on Feb. 1, 2020 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova is removed from their victory over Florida Gulf Coast to a standing ovation as the team advances in the Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (left) of Villanova shoots after squeezing by Aaliyah Edwards of UConn during the first half of a Big East Tournament championship game on March 6, 2023 at Mohegan Sun In Uncasville, CT.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist of Villanova shoots over DePaul defenders during the first half of a Big East Tournament quarterfinals game on March 4, 2023 at Mohegan Sun In Uncasville, CT.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (right) of Villanova blocks a shot by Sha Carter of Florida Gulf Coast during the 1st half of a 2nd round Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddy Siegrist (right) of Villanova shoots over Danielle Patterson of St. John's during the 2nd half on Jan. 14, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Siegrist led the Villanova comeback with 32 points.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
L-R: Bella Runyan, Kylie Swider, Brooks Mullin, and Maddy Siegrist run after Maddie Burke of Villanova after their victory over St. John's on Jan. 14, 2023 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Burke hit two 3-pointers down the stretch.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
L-R: Maddy Siegrist, Kylies Swider, Brooke Mullin, Maddie Burke, Kaitlyn Orihel, Megan Olbrys, and Lucy Olsen of Villanova celebrate after their victory over Florida Gulf Coast in a 2nd round Women's NCAA Tournament.at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University on March 20, 2023Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
I write sports columns focusing on colleges and Philly hoops. Over the years, I've covered Smarty Jones, World Cup soccer, and a memorable decade of John Chaney.
