Why the commitment of Christ Essandoko is such a significant one as Providence rebuilds its roster

The seven footer is skilled -- with range beyond the arc, passing ability, solid touch, footwork, and strength on the interior

After Providence received a commitment from 7’2 junior college center Anton Bonke this past winter, head coach Kim English said he was looking forward to building a more physically formidable frontcourt going forward.

English and his staff entered this offseason with the massive Bonke, and an elite shot blocker in Oswin Erhunmwunse as potential frontcourt centerpieces for the future, but a key priority heading into Portal Season was adding an experienced center for next year. They did just that in landing 7’0, 285 pound center Christ Essandoko on Wednesday.

Essandoko is a familiar name in these parts, as the St. Joseph’s transfer was a one-time Providence commit under the previous staff. Essandoko, who came to America from France in 2020, played alongside Victor Wembanyama since he was 13 years old, and got noticed almost immediately in the States after playing in the spring and summer circuits in North Carolina. Kids with his size and ball skills don’t come around often (Essandoko can shoot beyond the arc and has above average passing ability out of the post), and college coaches immediately took notice.

He played alongside Caleb Foster on Team Curry on the Under Armour circuit in 2021, and then wrapped up his grassroots career later that year with Boo Williams before partnering with fellow PC commit Quante Berry at Winston-Salem Christian in North Carolina during the 2021-22 season.

Quante Berry, Christ Essandoko shine in Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament

Essandoko ran into eligibility issues coming from France and had to sit out his freshman season, which led to being released from his letter of intent from PC, and his eventual enrollment at St. Joe’s. The 2023-24 season was the first he was eligible to play in, and he spent a portion of the season getting into game shape after fighting through a pair of injuries. He averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in 21 minutes a night last season. He also shot nearly 37% from beyond the arc. Among his most impressive performances were his 14-point, eight-rebound effort in a hard-fought NIT game against Seton Hall, as well as his nine points and nine boards at Kentucky, and 21 and 12 against an NCAA Tournament team in Duquesne. He was also very good in St. Joe’s scrimmage against Providence last October.

The Hawks finished above .500 for the first time since 2016 this past season with a 21-14 mark, and they reached the A-10 Tournament semis for the first time since 2018.

The numbers were solid for a first-year big man, but the real excitement with Essandoko is in the tape. It was hard to watch him and not think that he could eventually turn into a seven-foot facsimile of Josh Oduro. In his second year at George Mason, Oduro put up 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while playing 23.5 minutes a night. The next season, his first under English, Oduro saw those numbers jump to 17.7 points and 7.5 boards.

Essandoko may already be a better long distance shooter than Oduro. He has good hands, can pass a bit from the high post, finds cutters when posting, and possesses surprisingly good feet for a player his size. His upside on the offensive end is very high, and when paired with Oswin he could potentially give English great offense/defense matchup-specific options. Essandoko is more in the mold of a classic big-bodied offensive center that isn’t necessarily fleet of foot or springy off the floor (four of his 71 made field goals were dunks this year), while Oswin’s a freak of an athlete with quick jumping ability who can control a game on the defensive end.

St. Joe’s didn’t post Essandoko a ton (48 total possessions), and he shot 51% while posting up. His .833 points per possession in the post ranked in the 46th percentile nationally, but he has a good left hand and the potential to turn into a bully in the paint in time and with more touches.

To the surprise of those who only know him by name and size, where Essandoko’s numbers spike are in spot up situations. His 1.179 points per possession ranked in the 91st percentile this past season, as he can shoot over most defenders from beyond the arc (his 43% shooting on guarded jump shots and 1.29 points per possession on those attempts ranked in the 94th percentile in the country), but more impressively, he looks fluid when drawing defenders and driving past them to the rim.

There are also signs of solid passing ability, and he can get teammates good looks by freeing them up on hand-offs.

His offensive game may be ahead of the defensive side of the ball at this stage of his career. Defensively, he ranked in the 44th percentile per Synergy Sports.

This is a significant score for English and his staff in the portal. Essandoko heard from Kansas, as well as Big East programs like Georgetown, Creighton, Villanova, Xavier, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and Butler once he hit the portal.

Not only are the Friars shaping up to be bigger on the interior, they should have versatility and different looks they can throw at teams between Essandoko, Oswin, and Bonke.

Essandoko’s commitment marks the second in less than a week after Miami transfer point guard Bensley Joseph announced for PC five days earlier. The Friars’ roster took significant hits with the departures of Devin Carter, Josh Oduro, and Ticket Gaines, but next year’s team will have more experience at point guard and far greater size on the interior — two weaknesses from a season ago. Moving forward, the staff will look to add a scoring guard and a wing in the portal.

English and Company are off to a very solid start to portal season. Essandoko will contribute immediately next year, and with three years of eligibility remaining, he could turn into an outstanding center as his game progresses.