Villanova Transfers: Versatile Wing Devin Royal Joins Wildcats

Villanova Men’s Basketball picked up a late-night addition on Monday, April 13, with rising senior Devin Royal announcing his commitment to the Wildcats. Royal ranked No. 52 in the recruiting class of 2023, a four-star prospect who started 32 games for Ohio State this past season.

A 6-foot-6, 220 pound forward, Royal visited campus the day of his commitment. He averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game with Ohio State as a junior and played power forward despite his relatively small stature. Royal averaged just 0.2 blocks per game last season, well below what one might expect out of a four-man, but his strength, athleticism and physicality help him hold his own against larger players.

Bringing in Royal raises interesting questions regarding fit: Wildcats head coach Kevin Willard expressed his team’s need to add size down low, and players like Matt Hodge already blur the lines between the three and the four. Fellow signee Kwame Evans Jr. should start at power forward and Malachi Palmer, should he remain with Villanova, will also garner bench minutes.

Royal’s addition leaves Villanova with at least eight spots to fill on their roster heading into next season: click here for related offseason stories.