Miami transfer Wooga Poplar, one of the best players left in the portal, has committed to Villanova, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Poplar visited Villanova last month and was also pursued by the likes of Oregon and Kentucky. He went through the NBA draft process and attended the G League Elite Camp before withdrawing his name before last week's deadline.
Poplar, a 6-foot-5 guard, hit career highs across the board last season. He averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a junior, shooting 38.5% from 3-point range.
Before the season, Miami coach Jim Larrañaga said the Philadelphia native was in for a big season.
“He looks like a professional,” Larrañaga told ESPN at ACC Media Day. “He looks like a first-round pick. He's a great 3-point shooter. He might be the best shooter in the country, whether it's catching or rebounding. He's a passionate defender. He has a big year ahead of him.”
Poplar was excellent to start the season, scoring at least 20 points in four of his first 11 games, including 25 in a mid-December win over La Salle. His numbers dropped in conference play, but he still managed to score 17 points against Pitt and 15 against Duke.
He is ranked 16th in ESPN's transfer rankings.
Poplar marks a much-needed acquisition for Kyle Neptune and the Wildcats, coming a week after All-Big East big man Eric Dixon opted to return to Villanova for another season. Three other transfers could also figure in the starting lineup: Jhamir Brickus (La Salle), Tyler Perkins (Penn) and Enoch Boakye (Fresno State).
Next season will be key for Neptune, who has missed the NCAA tournament in each of his two seasons since replacing Jay Wright in 2022.
The Philadelphia Inquirer was the first to report Poplar's engagement.
