Locking It Down: At Long Last, Providence Lands Big-Time Shooter Noah Locke
To say this day has been a long time coming is an understatement. Over the past four seasons, Noah Locke has been one of the best long distance shooters in the country, which is something Ed Cooley and his staff envisioned when they offered Locke a scholarship in the summer of 2016.
The offer came prior to Locke’s junior season at the McDonogh School in Maryland, when he visited Providence’s Elite Camp in the early stages of his recruitment. The Friars were pushing for class of 2017 point guard Makai Ashton-Langford at the time, and Locke made an impression by having a big game against Ashton-Langford’s team in five on five play.
The Providence offer then followed, as did a pair of monster years for Locke, who broke McDonogh’s all-time scoring mark (over 2,300 points) and saw his stock soar after proving himself to be perhaps the best 3-point shooter at the prestigious Nike EYBL summer circuit.
By the time Locke’s senior season of high school came around, he was ranked in the top 80 of all national services. While Friar fans dreamed of a recruiting haul that included David Duke, AJ Reeves, and Locke, the rest of the country took notice. That included Xavier’s Chris Mack, as well as the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, and Florida.
Locke chose the Gators in the fall of his senior year, a loss that didn’t sting so much at the time with both Duke and Reeves headed to Friartown. Still, for those of us who followed Locke closely throughout high school, it was always worth checking in on his progress.
His freshman season at Florida was terrific. He hit a whopping 81 three pointers on nearly 38% shooting from deep, and had a streak of nine games in a row in which he scored in double figures — that was capped by a 27-point (7-13 from deep) outburst against Texas A&M. The nine consecutive games in double figures matched Bradley Beal’s freshman record at Florida.
A game after his double digit scoring stretch was snapped he bounced back with 22 points on 6-11 from deep versus Ole Miss.
The next two seasons at Florida were more of the same. Locked averaged 10.6 points a night as a sophomore on 43% shooting from distance. He made 79 more threes that season, and shot a sizzling 48% from deep in SEC play.
As a junior, Locke once again put up 10.6 points per game, and again eclipsed the 40% mark from beyond the arc.
Locke played in four NCAA Tournaments games as a Gator, scoring 17 points against Oral Roberts in the 2021 tourney. He played in two NCAA Tournaments while at Florida, and would have seen a third had the 2020 tournament not been cancelled. That Florida team was ranked as high as sixth in the country.
He hit the transfer portal after his junior year, and PC expressed interest, but Locke wound up with Louisville, in large part due to his relationship with Chris Mack (who had left Xavier for Louisville).
Locke couldn’t have timed it worse. Mack was suspended for the first six games of the season, and was eventually fired in January, and the Cards tumbled. Louisville finished 13-19 overall last season, and just 6-14 in ACC play.
Locke’s numbers dipped in the meantime. He shot a career-worst 34% from three (making 68 of them) and put up 9.6 points per game.
After spurning Providence twice on the recruiting trail, it was fair to question if perhaps there was something holding him back from committing here once Locke announced he would be transferring for his final season of eligibility this spring.
Yet, when news of Locke’s commitment suddenly broke on Friday night, it made all the sense in the world. Providence is on the hunt for veterans and shooting, and after a tumultuous season in Louisville, Locke was likely seeking not only an opportunity to see minutes and shots — but a coaching staff with stability.
He apparently found that in the staff that started its recruitment of him six years ago.
Locke fits the profile of what Providence needed this spring in so many ways.
Experience? Locke turns 23 in May and has started over 100 games at a high major level.
Shooting: Locke shot over 40% for his career at Florida, and his 285 career made threes would have set a Providence record if he’d done so in a Friar uniform over the past four seasons.
Familiarity with the staff? Much like Al Durham a year ago, the staff landed a grad transfer they grew very familiar with in high school. Like Durham, Locke has been praised for his maturity: “He’s come in here, fought for minutes, and he’s really taken that starting position,” then-Florida head coach Mike White said of Locke during his freshman year. “He’s been a very consistent, mature, tough kid. He’s even leading a bit as a freshman. He’s been a very solid defender for us, and obviously, he’s got an ability to make shots at a high level.”
As was the case with Durham and Minaya a season ago, not much will faze Locke next season, despite the venue or opponent.
It was a long time coming, but Noah Locke is finally a Friar — and he looks to be an ideal fit.
Later today, Friar Basketball will take a closer look at Locke’s shots charts and advanced numbers over the past four years to provide a detailed look at what to expect from PC’s newest addition.
Wow Great find with that all time 3s stat. Seems like a great addition