Villanova Hosts Maryland Transfer Tafara Gapare

Villanova Men’s Basketball hosted Maryland transfer Tafara Gapare for an official visit on Tuesday, April 15, per a report from College Basketball Content.

The Wildcats still need to fill at least six spots on their roster ahead of the 2025-26 season, and Gapare could provide them with a solid — and much needed — depth option. A 6-foot-9, 215 pound small forward who hails from New Zealand, Gapare put up 3.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in an average of 10.3 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season.

Gapare’s next team will be his fourth in the past four seasons. He began his collegiate career at UMass Amherst, transferred to Georgia Tech as a sophomore, then joined new Villanova head coach Kevin Willard and the Terrapins ahead of last season. A member of 247Sports’ top 100 recruits out of high school, Gapare hasn’t managed to make his natural talent convert to success on the court: Willard called him “one of the most frustrating players I’ve ever coached,” in an interview with Sam Jane of 247Sports last season.

Even without the raw numbers, it’s easy to see how the Wildcats could leap at that sort of potential, especially because he and Willard have an established rapport. Other Wildcats transfer targets including Maryland guard Rodney Rice, Grand Canyon forward Duke Brennan, Washington State transfer Nate Calmese and Middle Tennessee State product Jlynn Counter.