RADNOR — Two underclassmen who played for Kevin Willard at the University of Maryland have followed the head coach to Villanova.

Guard Malachi Palmer and center Braden Pierce, both have three seasons of eligibility remaining, have signed financial aid agreements with the university and are expected to join Willard’s Wildcats team this season.

Palmer, a 6-foot-6 native of Harrisburg, appeared in 22 games as a freshman for the Terrapins last season after playing two years of prep at Mount Zion. He was listed as the No. 2 recruit in the state of Maryland in 2024 before joining the Terrapins. He averaged 8.3 minutes per game for a Maryland team that went 27-9, finishing second in the Big 10 and at No. 9 in the final AP poll. The Terrapins made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.

“Malachi is a tough, physical guard (who) plays on both sides of the ball,” Willard said via a statement. “He is an elite, on-ball defender and a natural scorer at the offensive end. His athleticism and size make him a perfect fit for the Big East. Malachi is a gym rat who keeps getting better, a tough shot-maker who knows how to put the ball in the basket.”

Palmer, who attended his local Central Dauphin High and Hillcrest Prep in Arizona before going to Mount Zion, scored a career high 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in a Nov. 19 win over Canisius early in his freshman campaign.

Pierce is a seven-foot center from Woodstock, Ga. who appeared in five games for Maryland last season before having his season ended prematurely due to an injury. He had redshirted in his prior season after putting in one year at IMG Academy.

“Braden is a developing frontcourt player we have watched get better over the past two years,” Willard said. “He benefitted from competing every day against two of the best big men in the country last season. Our staff has always appreciated Braden’s shooting skill as a stretch five. He has good interior touch with both hands, is a quality shooter and brings a physical presence that will be very valuable in the Big East.”