Villanova Film Room: Zion Stanford a Matchup Nightmare

New Villanova wing and Philadelphia native Zion Stanford transferred to the Wildcats in April 2025 after two seasons with Big 5 rival Temple. A solidly-built wing with excellent athletic traits, Stanford, a graduate of West Catholic High School, has plenty of time to figure out how to use his natural gifts to complement his skill on the court. As a rising junior, he’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Stanford is a strong dribbler who can finish at the rim with either hand and prefers to score down low. He took 50 percent of shots at the rim during the 2024-25 season, and another 19 percent from the elbow, altogether making 48 percent of shots from two-point range while serving as the Owls’ secondary scoring option.

Three-point shooting isn’t a strength for Stanford, but he improved in both rate and volume during his two seasons at Temple, making 5-of-19 as a true freshman before sinking 22-of-63 last season. Villanova head coach Kevin Willard said that versatility and youth were two points of emphasis in attacking the transfer portal this offseason, and Stanford has both. He logged an excellent effective field goal rate (60 percent) on catch-and-shoots, including much of his success from beyond the arc, but struggled off the dribble and in isolation.

Stanford possesses defensive versatility thanks to his 6-foot-6, 205 pound frame. He has the speed to match up on the perimeter and, while smaller than most members of the frontcourt, retains enough athleticism to contest shots with his wingspan and vertical ability. Already a talented defender, Stanford could turn into a legitimate nightmare on the court as he continues to hone his technique.