Villanova basketball earned a significanttransfer commitment today when Tyler Perkins (6-4, combo guard from Penn) announced his decision to become a Wildcat. Perkins started 27 of 29 games he appeared in during his freshman season at Penn; averaging 13.7 points and 5.3rebounds per game while shooting 39.1% FG, 34.7% 3PFG and 76.5% FT. Against D1 competition, Perkins drained 35% 3PFG and 42% 2PFG and proved adept at garnering steals. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Perkinstook a few minutes out of his day today to chat briefly with VUSports about his decision:
VUSports: How does it feel to have made your transfer decision?
Tyler Perkins: It is like a weight off my shoulder. Being in the process it is good hearing from coaches and being wanted is something good and I am very grateful for it but there are times where it can be overwhelming. There are days where you want to relax or focus on school and then you have coaches calling you. It is definitely a weight off my shoulders but I am very happy with the decision I have made.
VUSports: Please tell us about your visit and what it was that stood out to you about Villanova and made you decide to commit?
Tyler Perkins: I went on Friday - it was a one day visit. I toured campus, toured the facilities and the whole coaching staff was there the whole day. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner together and it was a really good visit. It was Villanova and a few other schools and the other schools were kind of late to reaching out to me and I was satisfied and familiar with the Philly area. It was a really good visit. I connected with the coaching staff, all of them, really well and I felt like I fit the system and being a Villanova guard so I was happy with it.
VUSports: What do you feel are the things you do best on the court and will bring to the table as positives from day one at Villanova?
Tyler Perkins: My energy and my competitiveness. I don't care who is in front of me, I am going to go at you. From the day I was born, my parents raised me to earn it and work for it and don't let anyone take anything from you. I am skilled, I play hard and I am not going to let anyone out-work me ... so I am going to bring that side to it; being a dog.
VUSports: What do you view as the things you need to work on the most?
Tyler Perkins: Catch and shoot. Being ready to catch and shoot. In high school I was more of an off-the-dribble player because I didn't have a lot of guys who could get me the ball. Being more of a lead guard, a point guard - makingpoint guard reads whether that is in pick-and-roll or in transition ... just being more a point guard.
VUSports: What did you learn about yourself and your game last season when you had the chance to play at Kentucky and against program like Auburn, Houston and Villanova?
Tyler Perkins: I realized that guard-wise it is a fine line between mid-majors and high-majors. I felt like I could hold my own against all those teams. There were moments where I struggled against them but overall I felt like I could compete with them for sure and I was new to all this as a freshman. With a whole year and, moving on, withyears underneath my belt it will definitely be exciting moving forward. I felt comfortable playing against them. It was amazing playing against them and seeing how their fan base was - with names like Kentucky and Auburn they carry weight and with the fanfare from right when we get there. On the basketball side it was definitely fun to stack up against them and I felt like I can hold my own for sure.
VUSports: How would you describe your relationship with Coach Kyle Neptune?
Tyler Perkins: It was good. When he first called me he talked about when we [Penn] played Villanova and beat them and I had a pretty good game. We definitely clicked immediately. I liked what hesees in me. He agrees that I play hard and he likes how I compete and I am not going to let anyone walk over me. He said he needs more of that. I feel like we are definitely on the same page.
VUSports: Which of the players on the team did you hit it off with right away?
Tyler Perkins: I didn't talk extensively with any of the players. I ran into Mark Armstong, Jordann Dumont and Nnanna Njoku on my visit and they were welcoming.
VUSports: What are you thoughts about getting a chance to play in the Big East - where basketball is prioritized, the tournament is at Madison Square Garden, and there is always high level competition?
Tyler Perkins: It is amazing. I am excited. I always wanted to be part of a basketball kind of conference where they take that as a priority and it will be fun to see how I do.
VUSports: What words would you like to send out to ‘Nova Nation today as you announce your decision to become a Wildcat?
Tyler Perkins: Let's turn it around. Let's win and get back to what it was a couple years ago. I am ready to do whatever it takes.
VUSports: Thank you for your time.
Latest on scholarships available and additional prospects:
VUSports Villanova Recruiting Depth Chart(VIP)
2024 Villanova Transport Portal Tracker(VIP)
For breaking news and notes on everything Villanova basketball, Villanova football and Villanova athletics:
SIGN UP for the FREE VUSports Newsletter
For the best inside Villanova basketball, football and sports info and for the best Villanova basketball and football recruiting coverage in the galaxy:
SUBSCRIBE to VUSports for Insider Info on everything Villanova Sports: CLICK HERE
Talk about this on our subscriber message board: 'Nova Nation
