Villanova has high hopes for Matt Hodge after failing to capitalize on his freshman season. The Belgian just announced his return for next season under coach Kevin Willard, which makes his interest in making his college basketball debut with the Wildcats a given.
The Return: The Last Chapter of Matt Hodge’s Saga
The news was broken by NJ.com’s Adam Zagoria, who reported on his X account the confirmation from Matt’s father, Odell Hodge.
Rising sophomore F Matt Hodge is staying at @NovaMBB , his dad Odell Hodge tells me
“It’s the perfect fit b/c Kevin Willard recruited the hell out of him at Maryland. Matt is excited about staying.” pic.twitter.com/ZKFR35x2nF
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 16, 2025
Matt Hodge came to the United States from his native Belgium during his junior year of high school. He enrolled at St. Rose School in Belmar, New Jersey, where he played two seasons and helped his team win the New Jersey Class B Non-Public State Title two years in a row.
In his senior season, he averaged 17.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, while a year earlier he averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game.
ESPN ranked him 95th in the top 100 at the conclusion of his senior season (2023-2024).
Kyle Neptune, Villanova’s former head coach who recruited him, said the following about Hodge, according to The Villanovan:
“Matt is a skilled forward who can play inside or step out and make shots from the perimeter. He is a very advanced shooter, decision-maker, and passer. As the son of a big-time player, he brings a great feel for the game.”
Hodge received offers from Maryland, Marquette, Penn State, Xavier, and Villanova, choosing the latter. He signed his National Letter of Intent on November 10, 2023, for the 2024-2025 season.
However, the son of Old Dominion University legend Odell Hodge has yet to make his college basketball debut. The NCAA ruled him ineligible because of questions about his high school education, which was split between Belgium and the United States.
Matt Hodge and Villanova appealed the decision, but the appeal was denied by the NCAA in November 2024. At the time, the player said he was frustrated with the situation.
“We have been working with Villanova for a few months to answer every question the NCAA has had about my time at my school in Belgium three years ago,” Hodge posted on X.
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“My grades improved at St. Rose, I graduated on time and am off to a good start in my classes at Villanova. I’m genuinely frustrated and the uncertainty weighs on me when I’m not on the court. I respect the NCAA process. I just hope this is resolved soon.”
The truth is that the player will not see action until next season, and it is already a fact that he will do so with Villanova. It is no coincidence that he is interested in following the orders of Willard, a coach with an excellent reputation in the NCAA, especially in the Big East Conference.
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