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Villanova Draft Prospects Get Knicks Scouting Report

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Quenton S Albertie | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 10:15 AM ET

March Madness is now in full swing, with several teams already having played their first game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. However, the Villanova Wildcats won’t be among the teams hoops fans get to see, as they went 19-14 in 2024-25. This marks the third straight season that the Wildcats missed the cut, their longest drought since 2000-2004.

Villanova’s Eric Dixon, Wooga Poplar Get Knicks Scouting Report

Come June, Villanova fans may have something to cheer for, with seniors Eric Dixon and Wooga Poplar among the prospects that could hear their name called during the 2025 NBA Draft. Indeed, a couple of former Nova standouts were recently asked Dixon and Poplar. Here’s what one, New York Knicks forward Josh Hart, had to say about the Wildcats duo:

“I think Dixon can space the floor,” Hart tells HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “Wooga’s athletic ability is going to put him in a good position.”

Eric Dixon

Dixon can certainly space the floor.

After five seasons at Villanova, he’s a career 39.2 percent 3-point shooter. Over the past three seasons, he’s made 38.7 percent of his 3s while taking 4.9 attempts per game. In 2024-25, he took a career-high 7.0 three-pointers per game, converting 42.2 percent of them.

Furthermore, he’s become increasingly comfortable beyond the arc. As a freshman, 17.8 percent of his field goal attempts were 3s. As a junior, 28.8 percent of his field goal attempts were 3s. In 2024-25, 41.6 percent of his attempts came from behind the 3-point circle.

With Dixon listed at 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, he can easily be used as a stretch-four at the NBA level.

This is a more simplistic role than he plays for the Wildcats, as he’s often expected to generate offense out of thin air. In fact, the lefty led the NCAA in points per game (23.0) in 2024-25. Nevertheless, it’s the easiest way for him to break into a rotation, especially early in his career. Even highly-touted rookies may not have plays called for them, so being able to play off their more established teammates is essential.

It’s a good thing that he knows how to score in other ways though. If he’s matched up against a smaller player, he has the size, touch and technique to exploit those matchups in the post. If there’s a hard closeout or he’s being guarded by a big, he may be able to beat them off-the-dribble.

Wooga Poplar

Poplar is another player who projects to be a floor-spacer in the NBA. In fact, he’s made at least 37 percent of his 3s in each of the past three seasons. However, and though Hart didn’t quite say it, his athletic ability is a notch above Dixon’s. That’s definitely beneficial.

Frankly, college prospects don’t need to be overly explosive to excel in the NBA, regardless of position. A resplendent basketball IQ and refined skillset can take players further than elite athleticism. Nevertheless, it’s often important for a backcourt prospect to exhibit solid burst with their first step. Being able to detach themselves from a defender is key, whether they’re trying to penetrate the lane or lose their man around a screen.

With that being said, Poplar’s physical tools come in handy at both ends. Aided by his ball-handling ability, he can get to the rim in the blink of an eye. On defense, he often jumps into passing lanes, or simply turns defense into offense.

Wooga Poplar’s 22-point outing pushed @NovaMBB to a statement victory over No. 9 St. John’s

It’s the third time in the past four games the senior has eclipsed the 20-point mark pic.twitter.com/feILT3TlBV

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 13, 2025

In 2024-25, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard averaged career-highs of 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. For reference, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo —who played at Villanova for three years —averaged 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game for the Wildcats in his best season. Amazingly, Poplar didn’t start playing basketball until he was a sophomore in high school.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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