Villanova Men’s Basketball to Retain Just Two Players; Palmer Enters Portal

Villanova Men’s Basketball will return just two players from last season, as rising junior Malachi Palmer entered the transfer portal on Friday, April 17, per a report from Sam Kayser of League Ready. A former four-star recruit, Palmer followed head coach Kevin Willard from Maryland last season and spent time as a key reserve.

After forward Matt Hodge went down with a season-ending ACL tear, Palmer started the next four games, putting up a valiant effort as an undersized four-man. He averaged 4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 steals per game as a defensive substitute across 18.3 minutes per game. With Villanova stacking depth on the wing — they’re still scanning the transfer portal for another shooter — the 6-foot-6 Palmer likely would’ve stayed in a reserve role next season amidst a playing time crunch.

Villanova has ten spots to fill on their roster ahead of next season: they’re bringing back Hodge and fellow starter Tyler Perkins, adding freshman Adam Oumiddoch and bringing in power five transfers Devin Royal and Kwame Evans Jr.

Click here for the Big 5 transfer portal trackers of outgoing and incoming athletes.