Villanova target, 4-star 2024 forward Matthew Hodge to announce commitment Friday

Four-star class of 2024 forward Matthew Hodge announced his final six schools on Wednesday morning. He also shared that he will be making his commitment on Friday.

Villanova will be one of six schools under consideration. The Wildcats made the cut alongside Penn State, Maryland, and fellow Big East schools Marquette, Seton Hall and Xavier.

Hodge has previously visited each of the schools in his final six.

On Villanova, he told 247sports.com: “The relationship I’ve built with the coaches has been great. They’re great guys. I felt after they decided to offer me we developed a great relationship. Since then we’ve been talking for a while. Also the visit was great. They had a great pitch and I really like the way they see me coming in and what they’re expectations are for me.”

Hodge, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward is a top-100 prospect in his class. He hails from Belmar, N.J. and is coming off of a big season with St. Rose High School.

He averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 blocks per game as a junior last season and helped St. Rose win the New Jersey Non-Public B state title for the first time in 19 years.

Hodge is one of the catalysts in the Purple Roses’ resurgence, and he’s excelled against top-tier talent. He finished with 19 points and eight rebounds in the title game victory over a loaded Roselle Catholic squad that featured the likes of highly sought-after recruits Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana), Simeon Wilcher (St. John’s) and Akil Watson (Arizona State).

While Villanova has been active in the transfer portal to build this season’s roster, the Wildcats are still in the hunt for their first class of 2024 commit.