Former Washington State guard TJ Bamba, one of the top college basketball transfers this spring, has committed to play at Villanova next season, he told ESPN on Friday.

Bamba said he picked Villanova over a host of schools including Kansas, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia Tech, Auburn, North Carolina and St. John's.

"This gives me the best chance to reach my ultimate goal of playing in the NBA," Bamba said. "Players in my mold like Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo have gotten drafted from Villanova and proven to be valuable pieces. My hope is to follow in their footsteps."

Bamba averaged 15.8 points in 32.2 minutes for Washington State last season, shooting 37.2% from 3, and was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention.