News Summary
Providence College’s basketball team, the Friars, is gearing up for a new season under Coach Kim English, featuring a mix of returning players and impactful newcomers. After a challenging previous season, the team aims to rebound with a revamped roster, which includes five retained players and several experienced new transfers. Key returners and promising recruits are expected to enhance competitiveness in the Big East Conference, as the Friars strive to redefine their identity and performance on the court.
Providence, RI – Providence College’s basketball team, the Friars, is gearing up for an exciting 2025-2026 season under Coach Kim English, who is entering his third year at the helm. After a challenging previous season, in which the Friars finished with a record of 12-20 and tied for eighth in the Big East Conference, the team is looking to rebound with a revamped roster featuring a mix of returning players and impactful newcomers.
The Friars faced significant changes during the offseason, notably the departure of their top scorer, Bensley Joseph, along with other key players, including Wesley Cardet and Jayden Pierre. The loss of four of their top five scorers puts pressure on the remaining players and the new additions to step up and fill the scoring void.
To mitigate these losses, Providence retained five players from the previous roster, which includes four who were starters at different points last season: Corey Floyd Jr., Rich Barron, Ryan Mela, and Oswin Erhunmwunse. Floyd Jr. enters the new season as the top returning scorer with an average of 9.2 points per game, while Erhunmwunse is the leading returning rebounder, averaging 5.6 rebounds per game.
The Friars have bolstered their roster with several new transfers who bring substantial experience from major college conferences. This group includes:
- Jason Edwards, Graduate Guard from Vanderbilt
- Jaylin Sellers, Graduate Guard from UCF
- DaQuan Davis, Sophomore Guard from Florida State
- Duncan Powell, Graduate Forward from Georgia Tech
- Cole Hargrove, Graduate Senior Forward from Drexel
In addition to these transfers, the Friars have added notable recruits, such as top 50 prospect Jamier Jones and Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year Jaylen Harrell. The team also signed two European players: Stefan Vaaks from Estonia and Peteris Pinnis from Latvia. This infusion of talent is expected to elevate the team’s competitiveness in the upcoming season.
The returning players are poised for improvement, particularly with athletes like Erhunmwunse, who is anticipated to showcase significant growth in his sophomore year. The current roster is characterized by a balanced combination of athleticism and quickness, which is crucial for both offensive and defensive strategies. This aspect has created a sense of high expectations regarding the team dynamics and chemistry as they prepare to establish their identity.
With a focus on growth and development, the Friars are entering a pivotal season that promises to define their competitive spirit and position within the Big East Conference. Following a difficult previous season, the coaching staff is making strategic adjustments aimed at capitalizing on the players’ strengths and creating a cohesive unit that can challenge for a better standing in the league.
As the 2025-2026 basketball season approaches, the excitement around the Providence College Friars is palpable, as fans and players alike look forward to seeing how the new roster and coaching strategies will translate into performance on the court. The potential for improvement is significant, and the Friars are eager to reclaim their competitiveness within the conference.
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Additional Resources
- GoLocalProv: Kevin Stacom – The Upcoming Providence College Basketball Season Sneak Peek
- Wikipedia: Providence College
- Anonymous Eagle: Big East Men’s Basketball Team Preview – Providence Friars
- Google Search: Providence College basketball
- Friar Basketball: Player Preview – How High Can Oswin
- Google News: Providence Friars basketball
- Friars.com: Men’s Basketball Announces 2025-26 Big East Conference Schedule
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- Friars.com: Men’s Basketball to Participate in the 2026 Southwest Maui Invitational
- Google Scholar: Providence College basketball season
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
