Former NBA center Etan Thomas has publicly criticized Villanova head coach Kevin Willard following his son Malcolm’s transfer to Dayton. Thomas directly questioned Willard’s character in his statement, referencing the coach’s reputation and suggesting it factored into his son’s decision to leave the program.
Malcolm Thomas, a former top 100 recruit who redshirted at Villanova during the 2024-25 season entered the transfer portal after the school fired Kyle Neptune on March 15 and hired Willard on March 30. The coaching change came as Malcolm faced limited playing opportunities due to veteran Eric Dixon’s unexpected return.
Etan Thomas Calls Out Kevin Willard’s Reputation After Son’s Transfer
“Then, Coach Neptune, the coach who recruited Malcolm gets fired and in comes Coach Kevin Willard with a reputation of let’s just say not being truthful and honest and trustworthy but we wanted to give him a chance and not go by what everyone else says, and……..let’s just say he has that reputation for a reason” Etan Thomas stated.
Former Cuse/NBA center Etan Thomas shares his feelings on new Villanova coach Kevin Willard. Thomas’ son Malcolm, a former top-100 recruit at DeMatha, just transferred from Villanova to Dayton. pic.twitter.com/Q3bdPo5r2Y
— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) April 24, 2025
Willard’s move to Villanova has generated controversy particularly regarding his handling of Maryland’s Sweet 16 run. Reports indicate he skipped a team dinner before Maryland’s tournament loss which some connected to his interest in the Villanova position while Maryland was still competing.
Malcolm Thomas, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound power forward from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., originally signed with Villanova in October 2023. The consensus top 100 recruit in the 2024 class is known for his exceptional athleticism, defensive versatility and rebounding ability.
Scouts have highlighted Thomas’s impressive 7-foot-0 wingspan, excellent leaping ability and defensive instincts as his standout attributes. Though still developing his perimeter game and needing to add muscle for college-level post play, his combination of size, athleticism and defensive upside made him a highly sought-after prospect in his class.
The Thomas family connected with Dayton, where head coach Anthony Grant and his staff made a positive impression during the recruitment process. Etan Thomas expressed appreciation for Dayton’s coaching approach after Malcolm’s experience at Villanova.
Willard’s arrival at Villanova brought significant changes to the program’s structure, with only one staff member retained while he brought his Maryland assistants with him.
The situation reflects challenges in contemporary college basketball with the transfer portal and NIL era affecting relationships between coaches, players and programs. Maryland supporters have continued to express displeasure with Willard’s departure, including his comments about Maryland’s NIL resources during their tournament run.
KEEP READING: Kevin Willard’s Woes Continue as Seventh Villanova Star Exits Via Transfer Portal
As Malcolm Thomas moves to Dayton, his father’s public comments about Willard highlight concerns about coaching transitions and communication in college basketball recruiting. The situation underscores the importance of trust between families and coaching staffs, especially during periods of program transition when young athletes must make career-defining decisions about their basketball futures.
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