After losing the talents of sophomore guard Brendan Hausen, junior forward Trey Patterson and senior forward Lance Ware last week, the transfer portal is starting to work in Villanova’s favor.

Penn freshman guard Tyler Perkins announced his commitment to Villanova through an Instagram post on Sunday, April 14. Perkins is the first transfer player to join the Wildcats for the 2024–25 season.

After just one season with the Quakers as a three-star recruit, Perkins entered the portal on March 18 with his sights set on another Philadelphia Big Five school. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Perkins helped upend the Wildcats early in the season, scoring 22 points in the Quakers’ 76–72 upset at the Palestra on Nov. 13, 2023. 

The 6’4 Lorton, Va. native went on to shine in Penn’s 2023–24 campaign, averaging 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. 

Perkins was crucial to Penn’s offense. He finished the season leading the Quakers in points scored, with 398, and had the second-most points per game. Perkins averaged 39 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from three. He was also Penn’s sharpest shooter from the free throw line, averaging 77 percent.

In his first season at Penn, Perkins also made significant defensive contributions. He was the team’s second-best rebounder and recorded the most steals, averaging 1.4 per game.

Perkins earned Ivy Rookie of the Week recognition three times. Despite an underwhelming season in which the Quakers (11–18 overall, 3–11 Ivy League) missed the Ivy Madness tournament for the first time in program history, Perkins was a standout player on the roster with undeniable potential.