Josh Oduro on The Friar Podcast

The new Friar center talks through the basketball journey that started at a prep powerhouse, then George Mason, and now at Providence with head coach Kim English.

Perhaps no one on Providence’s current roster has as unique a perspective on learning about (and playing for) Kim English than Josh Oduro.

When Oduro began his career at George Mason, it was for head coach Dave Paulsen. After Paulsen was let go following Oduro’s sophomore season, the young center had a decision to make. He entered the transfer portal, but ultimately ended up returning to Mason after being impressed with all of the homework English had done on him and his game.

Among the many things Oduro talked about on The Friar Podcast this week was his decision-making process at the time, and how Oduro and teammates Tyler Kolek and Jordan Miller approached the transition.

Oduro spoke about his friendships with Kolek (who is perhaps the best point guard in the country now at Marquette) and Miller (signed with the Clippers) in the clip below:

We wanted to have Oduro on for a number of reasons. He immediately thrived under English, earning 1st Team All Atlantic-10 honors in his two seasons playing for him. Oduro was also able to provide insight into what it may have been like for the Providence players who went through a similar process in getting to know English this past spring.

Oduro also shared his thoughts on the games of Mason-to-PC transfers Ticket Gaines and Justyn Fernandez, his impressions of his new teammates, the ridiculous amount of talent on Team Takeover when he was in high school, adjusting to life in Rhode Island, the Friars’ recent trip to Spain, as well as his excitement over welcoming a son with his wife early next year.

Listeners of the podcast will note that I hosted this episode solo — and there was good reason for that, as Billy Ricci is celebrating his wedding and honeymoon this week!

We hope you enjoy this episode.

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