Kim English brought in one of the most talented transfer portal classes in the Big East as Providence basketball looks have a memorable season for Bryce Hopkins’s senior year.
The tradition continues! CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: Providence basketball.
Kim English was made for the transfer portal and I’m sure his 10 opposing Big East head coaches aren’t thrilled about that. The PC head honcho brought in a potential starting PG in Bensley Joseph, a scoring star in Chicago State’s Wesley Cardet Jr., an all-around player in Jabri Abdur-Rahim, and a 7-footer in Christ Essandoko. They figure to join star forward Bryce Hopkins in the most likely starting lineup, and that’s one heck of a way to assemble a team by use of the portal.
The PC bench is also very deep. Last year’s guard, Jayden Pierre, might have to be the sixth man. Rich Barron, who shot over 42% from three as a freshman, will also get playing time in relief. Corey Floyd Jr. and Justyn Fernandez give English a lot of depth further down the depth chart.
There’s no reason to belief this deep and talented of a roster can’t compete in the Big East, even against the back-to-back champs in UConn.
Click here to learn more about our preseason top 100 teams heading into the 2024-25 college basketball season.
Head coach: Kim English (2nd season at Providence, 4th season overall)
2023-24 record: 21-14 (10-10)
2024 postseason finish: Lost to Boston College (62-57) in first round of NIT
Notable departures:
- Devin Carter (19.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 37.7 3P%)
- Josh Oduro (15.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 BPG, 52.7 FG%)
- Ticket Gaines (8.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.1 APG)
- Rafael Castro (2.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.2 APG)
Notable non-conference games:
- vs. Oklahoma (Nov. 27)
- vs. Davidson OR Arizona (Nov. 28)
- Battle 4 Atlantis (Nov. 29)
- vs. BYU (Dec. 3)
- at Rhode Island (Dec. 7)
- vs. St. Bonaventure (Dec. 14)
Projected Rotation
PG: Bensley Joseph (6-2, 188, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 9.6 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 36.4 3P% (Miami-Fla)
SG: Wesley Cardet Jr. (6-6, 210, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 18.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 34.4 3P% (Chicago State)
SF: Jabri Abdur-Rahim (6-8, 220, Gr.-Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 12.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.3 APG, 35.6 3P%, 88.7 FT%, 36.1 FG% (Georgia)
PF: Bryce Hopkins (6-7, 220, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 15.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 18.9 3P%, 15 GP
C: Chris Essandoko (7-0, 290, Rs.-So.)
2023-24 stats: 8.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 BPG, 50.0 FG%, 36.8 3P% (14-38) (St. Joseph’s)
6: Jayden Pierre (6-2, 185, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 9.5 PPG, 3.2 APG, 2.5 RPG, 36.6 3P%
7: Rich Barron (6-5, 220, So.)
2023-24 stats: 4.4 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.5 APG, 42.9 3P%
8: Corey Floyd Jr. (6-4, 210, Rs.-Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 4.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 34.1 FG%
9: Justyn Fernandez (6-5, 205, Rs.-So.)
*Missed 2023-24 season with leg injury*
2022-23 stats: 4.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.5 APG (George Mason)
10: Anton Bonke (7-2, 270, So.)
2023-24 stats: 9.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 58.5 FG% (Eastern Arizona College)
11: Oswin Erhunmwunse (6-10, 220, Fr.)
247Sports Composite #94 ranked recruit
12: Nilavan Jotham Daniels (6-3, 180, Fr.)
247Sports Composite unranked recruit
13: Eli DeLaurier (6-10, 225, Rs.-Fr.)
247Sports Composite #216 ranked recruit (2023)
14: Ryan Mela (6-6, 200, Fr.)
247Sports Composite #286 ranked recruit
Providence Basketball team MVP: Bryce Hopkins
The star of Providence basketball is back for his senior year after an injury against Seton Hall cost him the rest of last season. Hopkins’ year only lasted 15 games, but while he was healthy, he showed the Big East why he’s one of the top players in the conference.
The big man can body inside, stretch outside (although he struggled in that aspect last season), and is one of the toughest players to guard in the Big East.
What sets Hopkins apart is his ability to put the ball on the deck and play like a skilled forward. Sure, his size allows him to dominate in the paint and at 6-7 he better have the ability to shoot from distance. Hopkins does that in the perfect combination, oftentimes leaving defenders guessing. If the Friars are going to have a season to remember, it better be during Hopkins’s senior year.
Providence Basketball make-or-break player: Jayden Pierre
With Miami transfer Bensley Joseph likely taking over the starting point guard spot, Pierre will need to come ready to work. There’s a good chance he comes off the bench, and although English could tweak the starting lineup all season, it would make most sense to have Pierre and Joseph share the point guard duties.
Make no mistake – Pierre is crucial to Providence’s success. He can shoot and dish, and may wind up starting after all. But if he comes off the bench, it’ll be important for Pierre not to take it to heart. Some players may struggle if their role gets diminished. If that is the case, Pierre can’t let that affect him.
Key analytic: BPG
I think it’s a pretty telling statistic that Kim English wants to control the paint. Last season, the Friars blocked 4.6 shots per game, 39th best in the country. That total should be fairly similar this season with the 7-0 Essandoko. Plus, guys like Hopkins and Abdur-Rahim can play alongside Essandoko for a fairly big team. If it results in blocks – great. If it doesn’t, the Friars should still control the boards in most games.
While George Mason didn’t have the same numbers, English’s three teams as a head coach have always averaged at least 3.1 blocks per game. That’s about middle of the road, but with more recruiting assets at Providence, don’t be surprised to see English continue to try and put together teams that are aggressive defensively. And the number of blocks may just follow suit.
Providence Basketball 2024-25 projections
Projected conference finish: 6th in the Big East
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Exit