The Villanova Wildcats were one of a few college basketball teams that still had four or more scholarships for the 2024-25 campaign. According to Tobias Bass of The Athletic, the Wildcats have one less scholarship, with Fresno State big Enoch Boakye committing earlier today.
Villanova Nabs Fresno State Big
Villanova is Boakye’s third school in four years and will have one year of eligibility left. Boakye spent his first two years at Arizona before transferring to Fresno State last season, where he produced his best season.
Boakye came on strong at the end of the season for Fresno State. He compiled four double-doubles, hauling in double-digit rebounds on five occasions and swatting away at least three shots four times over the last two months.
Boakye averaged 7.5 points on 61.5% shooting from the field, 7.7 rebounds (2.3 offensive), and 1.2 blocks in 22.7 minutes over 29 games, including 26 starts. The 6-10 center scored in double-figures eight times and grabbed double-digit boards nine times.
What Does Boakye Bring To Nova, And How Does He Fit With Wildcats?
Boakye entered Arizona State as a top-60 consensus prospect in 2021. While the Mississauga (Ont.) native hasn’t lived up to his enormous potential, 247Sports Josh Gershon projected him to be a first-round draft pick when he began college; he still has time.
Boakye is very athletic and has a high motor. He runs the floor exceptionally well and is an excellent finisher around the rim, converting 74.3% of his attempts this year. He is also an elite rebounder who can protect the rim.
“The big man should be able to provide Villanova with some legitimate rim protection and should be a plus defender overall, Josh Naso of Nova Illustrated said of Boakye. “He should add some rebounding, and he runs the floor well.”
Boakye is a huge get for third-year coach Kyle Neptune, particularly if Eric Dixon doesn’t return. Dixon, who will be 24 this year, is going through the NBA draft process, though he still could return due to the COVID year.
Waiting On Eric Dixon
Villanova’s biggest weakness was its frontcourt, which was severely undersized, with Dixon being among its tallest players at 6-8. As expected, the Wildcats were not a good rebounding team—especially on the offensive end—and ranked among the bottom 40 teams in the nation in shot blocks.
If Dixon remains in the draft, Nova will be shorthanded and young in the frontcourt. 6-9 center Nnanna Njoku is recovering from a knee injury that limited him to 11 games this past season. Therefore, 6-8 sophomore Jordann Dumont, who didn’t see the floor last year, and incoming freshmen Matthew Hodge, Malcolm Thomas, and Josiah Moseley would be the Cats’ only healthy options.
Regardless of Dixon’s decision, Boakye is slated to start at the five, allowing Dixon to move to power forward, a position he is more suited to.
“This represents some much-needed frontcourt depth for the Wildcats,” added Naso. “It’s also fair to wonder if this will have a positive impact on Eric Dixon’s decision from Villanova’s perspective, as Boakye’s presence would allow Dixon to slide to the four, something he’s been wanting to do.”
There is no official word about Neptune’s next recruiting step to fill out his 2024 class, but he really needs to focus on the Wildcats’ backcourt and wing. If Dixon officially departs, Neptune will have to add more depth in the frontcourt.
