In the second installment of our Nova Notebook "Meet the Cats" series we recently spent some time with Devin Royal, a Columbus, Ohio native who spent the past three seasons at Ohio State.
 
Following a team workout in the Davis Center last week, new Wildcats' Sports Performance coach Kyle Tarp was putting the squad through a training session. Part of the regimen included players firing a medicine ball at a padded wall beneath a basket. The players took turns and when ball hit padding, the sound filled the practice court area.
 
When it was Devin Royal's turn, the booming sound obliterated any conversation being had elsewhere in the practice gym. At one point, the power of his toss knocked one panel of padding off the wall (it was quickly reattached).
 
At 6-6, 230 pounds, Royal certainly looks the part of a sculpted BIG EAST forward. In fact, his frame raises the question of how such a rugged person growing up in the shadow of an FBS powerhouse didn't wind up on the gridiron.
 
"As a kid," Royal said recently, "played everything – football, basketball. But mainly it was football. I was a little aggressive and played with them all the time."
 
Yet a simple reality steered Royal away from the turf towards the hardwood.
 
"I have bad allergies so I couldn't really (play) football," he stated. "I found the court and just kind of fell in love with it."
 
It's been a rewarding journey in the years since, though it didn't happen overnight.
 
"In junior high," he said with a smile, "I was pretty good, but I was a kid who needed to get in better shape."
 
By the time he was a junior at Pickerington Central High School outside of Columbus, Royal had put himself on the radar of Division I college coaches. He led Pickerington Central to the state title game in each of his last two seasons and was named All-Ohio in the process. At the conclusion of his senior season (2022-23) he was selected as Ohio's "Mr. Basketball".
 
Upon enrolling at Ohio State, Royal went from a rotation contributor as a freshman to more meaningful minutes in the next two campaigns. After appearing in 33 games as a freshman in 2023-24, he started 27 times as a sophomore, averaging 13.7 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per contest. Last season, he replicated that scoring number (13.7 ppg) and averaged more than 32 minutes per game for a team that reached the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I think I've matured in leadership, bringing guys together, playing together and bringing that dog mentality to the court," stated Royal. "The experiences I've had have been good and will help me here at Villanova."
 
Although he certainly offers strength, Royal's game also offers plenty of skill. He has range beyond the 3-point arc and converted .476 of his field goal attempts last season for the Buckeyes. In early workouts, he has demonstrated a knack for driving and finishing around the goal as defenders must respect his ability to make shots from beyond the arc.
 
"I bring a lot of versatility," noted Royal. "I can guard 1-5, get rebounds, make plays and move the ball."
 
When he entered the portal in the spring, Royal quickly took note of Villanova and its head coach, Kevin Willard.
 
"When Coach recruited me, he showed me how they like to play – up and down the court, rebound, get the ball out and make plays," said Royal. "There's also the atmosphere here – it's a basketball school. I talked about that with Coach. It's a great fit, for sure."
 
Said Willard when Royal officially signed with Nova; "From the moment I watched tape in preparing to play against Devin earlier in his career, I just had great respect for the way he plays. He is a proven winner who brings skill and physicality with him every time he takes the court."
 
Royal came to campus in late May ahead of the first summer session. In the weeks since, he's settled in with his new teammates and coaches.
 
"Guys like to put a lot of work in and want to compete," stated Royal. "To see all these guys who want to compete is great."
 
Prior to his arrival, Royal had only minimal experience with the bulk of the 2026-27 roster. He had faced former Oregon forward Kwame Evans Jr. in Big Ten action but otherwise it's mostly been getting to know multiple new faces.
 
"I feel like brothers with them already," said Royal. "It's a great group of guys."
 
As for his expectations for the season ahead, it boils down to a single word for Royal.
 
"Win," he stated.
 
In the meantime, he hopes to fine tune his shot from distance and learn the tendencies of so many new teammates. The season ahead offers much promise and this Ohio native is eager to make his introduction to the Nova Nation and the BIG EAST.