Villanova in the Pros: Eric Dixon Reunites With Kyle Neptune

Villanova Men’s Basketball all-time leading scorer Eric Dixon signed with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, per a social media post from the Hornets’ PR Department on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

He joins former Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune, who signed with the Hornets as an assistant coach in August. The nation’s leading scorer during the 2024-25 season and a six year Wildcats’ alumnus, Dixon initially agreed to a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent in June. However, he never officially signed the contract and a foot injury kept him out of the team’s Summer League lineup.

Dixon then signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers in late July, essentially a training camp invite without guaranteed money. The Hornets didn’t yet specify if he’s joining the team as a full member of the roster or with some other type of contract, whether a two-way deal or an Exhibit 10 contract.

An assistant with the Wildcats from 2008 to 2021, Neptune became Villanova’s head coach ahead of the 2022-23 season when program mainstay Jay Wright announced his surprise retirement. The Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons under Neptune, however, leading to his ouster in March 2025.