VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Nova Nation will get its first look at the 2025-26 Villanova Wildcats Men's Basketball team led by new William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach Kevin Willard when it holds an open practice on Monday, July 28, at 4 p.m. in Finneran Pavilion.
 
Following the workout, current team members will be available for an autograph signing presented by Friends of Nova, Villanova Athletics' official NIL maximization partner.
 
Doors to the public open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by copying and pasting this link into your browser or clicking on the link at the top of this story: https://villanova.evenue.net/event/MBB26/OP?utm_source=release&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=25_summerjam
 
The new look Wildcats return two holdovers from 2024-25: sixth man Tyler Perkins and Matthew Hodge, a 6-10 forward who practiced with the team a season ago but saw no game action due to an NCAA eligibility ruling.
 
This pair is joined by an impressive lineup of newcomers that includes guard Devin Askew (Long Beach State); forward Duke Brennan and guard Malcolm Flaggs (Grand Canyon); forward Tafara Gapare, guard Malachi Palmer, and forward Braden Pierce (Maryland); guard Bryce Lindsay (James Madison) and guard Zion Stanford (Temple).
 
A promising freshman class includes guards Chris Jeffrey, Acaden Lewis and center Nico Onyekwere.
 
The official Villanova non-conference schedule is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The complete 2025-26 schedule will be revealed when the BIG EAST announces its full slate in September.