2023 forward Jordann Dumont opens up on Villanova commitment

Sometimes you just know when something is the right fit.

Maybe it was fate, maybe it was destiny, but after some early bad luck for Villanova on the 2023 recruiting trail, the Wildcats eventually came across 6-foot-8 forward Jordann Dumont.

There was instant chemistry, from both sides.

“It happened pretty quick,” Dumont said. “I started to talk to (Villanova) in early November. After that, Kyle Neptune sent one assistant coach to my practice to watch me play and watch the team, watch some games. Two weeks later, I went on an official visit, and now, I’m committed.”

Dumont, a native of Montreal, Canada and a standout at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Tenn.), came to the Main Line this past weekend to officially check out Villanova’s campus.

He felt right at home.

“As soon as I was on campus, actually, I knew that it was the spot for me,” Dumont said. “The campus is beautiful. They showed me the gym, the classrooms, the dorms — everything. Villanova is a place where I can get to the next level, be a winner, live up to my full potential and take it to the next level. When I stepped up in the gym, I just saw the winning culture, winning spirit, and the coaches were really great with me. I can’t wait to go. I knew as soon as I got there.”

Dumont announced his commitment on Tuesday afternoon, and sent in his national letter of intent to fully lock things in shortly after.

Although Neptune is the new head coach on the block, he felt an instant connection with him and is impressed with the continuity of upholding the program’s values.

“I saw the culture, how coaches and players are building relationships, everything really is a family,” Dumont said of his impressions of the team. “Everyone was happy, just everyone seemed happy to be at Villanova. Everybody seemed so happy to be at work. I just knew it was a great spot, great vibes, and everything is really good.

“Honestly, the difference from other coaches was I just feel like (Neptune) didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear, he just told me the truth. Everything he said, I felt it came from his heart. It was just real. With him, I know I can get better. He’s a young, great coach, and I feel that I fit the system at Villanova.”

Dumont prides himself on his versatility.

“I can guard one through five, bring confidence, toughness, rebounds, and score the ball,” he said. “I shoot a lot of threes and make a lot of threes. I’m going to help bring a lot of wins and versatility at Villanova.”

Whatever you need him to do, on or off the court, he’s ready. Whether that’s take the backseat and learn, provide rebounding and toughness, or the ability to keep up and guard any position on the floor.

He’s also got a solid three-point shooting stroke, which helped him average 23 points per game, as well as nine rebounds and three assists per game as a junior last season at Hamilton Heights Christian.

He also averaged 8.5 points in 14.6 minutes per game for Team Canada at the U-18 FIBA Americas Cup, where he took more than half of his shots from beyond the arc, and drained 36.0% of his three-point takes.

According to On3.com, he is a three-star prospect in the class of 2023.

“We’re excited to welcome Jordann and his family to the Villanova community,” Neptune said in a statement. “Jordann is a long, skilled athlete who really fits our culture. We know he’ll work hard to become the best Villanova player he can be.”

Until he gets to don the blue and white, he’s hoping to help lead Hamilton Heights Christian to a successful season in his last rodeo.

He racked up 28 points and drilled seven 3-pointers in a season-opening win. Dumont aims to leave a lasting impression in his final year, but also get himself ready for the next level.

“I’m going to work on my body, get stronger, jump higher and be quicker,” Dumont said of his plans for improvement. “Working a lot on coming off of ball screens, getting my teammates involved, and my passing with my left hand.”

His message to the fans?

“Let’s turn up,” he exclaimed. “Nova Nation, we will turn up.”