Jayden Pierre headlines a list of four new Friars headed to the portal
The opening of the transfer portal on Monday came with swift, albeit not surprising news for Providence. Starting point guard Jayden Pierre was one of four Friars to enter his name into the portal.
Pierre just completed his third season with the Friars. He was a bit player as a freshman under Ed Cooley (11 minutes, 2.5 points per game) before seeing his minutes rise to over 30 a game as a sophomore. He averaged 9.5 points and shot 36% from beyond the 3-point arc in a supporting role, playing alongside star Devin Carter and All-Big East center Josh Oduro.
His junior year saw him bump his scoring average to 12.3 points per game (on 34% shooting from three), but his shooting numbers fell sharply after Feb. 1, and he struggled with ball security as the Friars wilted down the stretch.
This is one of those situations that feels right for both parties.
With the loss of Pierre and the graduation of Bensley Joseph, the Friars are tasked with finding two point guards in the portal this spring.
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that backup big men Christ Essandoko and Eli DeLaurier entered the portal.
The seven-foot Essandoko was expected to start at center after transferring in from St. Joseph’s following last season, but he struggled from the jump and never found his footing. He played in 22 of Providence’s 32 games this year (starting in seven) and averaged 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. A 36% shooter from beyond the arc a season ago, Essandoko never found the range from deep (3-14) and simply wasn’t a fit for Providence. The hope was that he would bring some of the passing ability of Oduro, while rounding into a better post scorer and consistent outside threat, but instead Essandoko struggled to find a niche on offense and was behind defensively.
The staff was high on DeLaurier heading into the season, calling him the team’s toughest player. He enrolled in college a year early in 2023-24 and redshirted last season, while only seeing cameos this year. He appeared in 22 games and played 5.8 minutes a night. DeLaurier gave PC a spark off the bench at times, but he encountered challenges defensively. A longer term project, he’ll likely look for an opportunity in which he can play greater minutes next season.
This afternoon also brought news of the departure of 7’2 center Anton Bonke. The Friar staff took a flyer on Bonke with the understanding that he was a multi-year project, but he’s departing after just 14 months on campus. Bonke played in 11 games, averaging 7.4 minutes, 1.7 points, and 1.5 rebounds per game. He was essentially brand new to the game and struggled with defensive assignments, but he has all sorts of athleticism and a work ethic the coaching staff praised prior to the season. Following a 12-20 season, most are okay with the roster purge, but Bonke would have been an intriguing follow over the next couple of years. The Friars beat out BYU and Xavier for his services last January.
Providence currently has five players on its roster for 2025-26: freshman center Oswin Erhunmwunse, freshman wing Ryan Mela, sophomore forward Rich Barron, redshirt junior guard Corey Floyd Jr. and freshman walk-on Nilavan Jotham Daniels. Significant work is ahead.
The Friars are reported to have made contact with Delaware guard Izaiah Pasha — the CAA Freshman of the Year who averaged 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. The 6’4 Pasha is a Pennsylvania native who prepped at St. Thomas More in Connecticut last year.
PC was also reported to have contacted Bryce Lindsay, a freshman from James Madison who was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and 3rd Team All-Sun Belt this season. Like Kim English, the 6’3 Lindsay is a Baltimore native who transferred to JMU from Texas A&M last year. He spent his high school years at Baltimore Polytechnic, St. Frances Academy (MD), and IMG Academy. He averaged 13.8 points per game and shot 40% from three on 87 makes this season.
Providence also reportedly has some level of interest in 6’7 Merrimack transfer Brian Etumnu, the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year.
With the announced returns of Ryan Mela and Corey Floyd Jr., here are highlights of each from this past season:
I still miss Slim Castro. A fan favorite. Glad to see him emerge. I saw where Pitino is only recruiting from the portal. NIL stinks! I’m encouraged with the recruiting Coach English is doing. He’s young and enthusiastic, Let’s Go Friars 👍
Pierre seems like a fine young man, but I agree. A change of scenery may do everyone some good here. Bonke, Deslauriers, Essankando are complete busts. They simply are not BE level players. I'm not crying over any of the players leaving, including Hopkins. Also not really impressed with who the staff is looking at. They need to get a lot older and more mature. They will be very young with Oswin, Mela, Jones, and Harrell as it is. Big test for Kim here coming up. Go Friars!!! And best to Friar Hockey on Friday!!!