Former Villanova Guard Malachi Palmer Enters Transfer Portal

Four major programs emerge as potential landing spots for the three-star recruit.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a basketball player, the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.A former Villanova guard seeks a new challenge, his basketball journey deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece.Baltimore Today

Malachi Palmer, a former guard for the Villanova Wildcats, has entered the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with the team. According to reports, four major programs - Illinois, Kansas, Houston, and Georgia - have emerged as potential landing spots for the 6-foot-6 guard, all of which had previously recruited him out of high school.

Why it matters

Palmer's decision to enter the transfer portal signals a desire for a larger role and more playing time, which he was unable to fully secure during his time at Villanova. The four schools reportedly interested in him are all powerhouse programs that could offer him a chance to compete at the highest level of college basketball, but also come with higher expectations and pressure to contribute immediately.

The details

After starting his college career at Maryland, Palmer transferred to Villanova prior to the 2021-22 season. This past year, he saw his minutes increase from 8.4 per game as a freshman to 18.3 per game as a sophomore, during which he averaged 4.6 points per game on 46.6% shooting. While a solid step forward, it appears Palmer is seeking a more prominent role going forward.

  • Malachi Palmer entered the NCAA transfer portal in April 2026.

The players

Malachi Palmer

A 6-foot-6 guard who spent the last two seasons at Villanova after beginning his college career at Maryland.

Kevin Willard

The head coach of the Villanova Wildcats, who oversaw Palmer's development during his time with the program.

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What they’re saying

“He's in the portal from Villanova after beginning his career at Maryland. And now, he's looking for a third home in three seasons. There's at least some reason to wonder about landing spots at the likes of Illinois, Kansas, Houston and Georgia.”

— Billy Heyen, Reporter, The Sporting News

What’s next

Palmer will need to make a decision on his next destination quickly, as the top programs interested in him may have limited scholarship spots available. His choice will likely come down to finding the right balance between a prominent role and the level of competition.

The takeaway

Malachi Palmer's decision to enter the transfer portal after two seasons at Villanova highlights the increasing fluidity of the modern college basketball landscape. While he showed steady improvement with the Wildcats, the lure of a bigger role at a high-major program has led him to explore other options for the next stage of his career.