It’s kind of obvious Oklahoma City Thunder rookie center Jeremiah Robinson-Earl went to Villanova, writes Joe Mussato for The Oklahoman.

You can see it in the way Robinson-Earl rebounds, sets screens and quietly does the dirty work.

Robinson-Earl, a second round pick, is a legitimate candidate for the Oklahmoa City Thunder team as starting center.

 “There’s no kid that deserves it more than him because of how hard he works,” longtime Villanova assistant George Halcovage told The Oklahoman. “I’m not surprised that he’s excelling right now.

Robinson-Earl had high praise for his Villanova head coach Jay Wright.

 “He brings the best out of everybody,” he said. “He knows what he does isn’t the most fun or cool thing to do, but he knows it works.”

Robinson-Earl, son of former Kansas forward Lester Earl, grew up in Kansas City. Villanova didn’t notice him at first because the school doesn’t regularly recruit from that area.

But after Robinson-Earl transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his senior season, an IMG coach contacted Villanova.

Robinson-Earl started all 56 games he played at Villanova. Last season, he averaged 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He was named Big East Player of the Year.

Read more at The Oklahoman about former Villanova player Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.