Providence has already struck gold in the 2024 Class with the early commitment of 4 Star Top 100 Guard/Wing Kayvauhn Mulready. This sent a message to the recruiting world and specifically in New England that Providence is big game hunting in the 2024 class. With Mulready in the fold, Providence is looking to build an elite backcourt recruiting class with a true three level scoring guard to pair with Mulready.
Enter Kur Teng.
Teng has been a name recruitniks should be familiar with. He’s been the apple of the Providence staff’s eye for several years now. Teng is a high level scoring guard that is extremely familiar with the Providence Friars. Kur Teng plays with the Mass Rivals AAU program, which has been a pipeline for Providence in the form of A.J Reeves and David Duke Jr., to name a few.
Below, we break down the recruitment of Kur Teng, who the main competition is, what his game is all about, and how he would fit within the Providence Friar program.
Kur Teng Recruiting Profile
Teng is a 6’4 Shooting Guard measuring in anywhere from 180 – 200 lbs. Teng is a composite 4 Star, ranked 36 overall in the 247 Composite. He is the number 10 shooting guard and #1 player in Massachusetts.
https://247sports.com/player/kur-teng-46116694/
Offers: Michigan State, Providence, Miami, Rutgers, Seton Hall
Right now, Michigan State has two crystal balls predicted (crystal balls in recruiting industry = predictions); however, both crystal balls were made by Michigan State writers with a medium degree of confidence.
I’d agree that Michigan State appears to be a leader in the clubhouse as of this writing, but PC’s proximity to his high school, PC’s ties to his AAU program, and the commitment from Mulready (another New England guard) certainly help. Another run at the Big East title and second weekend run in NCAA tournament wouldn’t hurt, either.
PC has a lot going for it. Providence fans may want to root for the 2024 Michigan State recruiting class to fill up, but I have a feeling that any program will save a spot for Teng.
Detailed Game Analysis
There are guards who can attack and finish at the rim. There are guards who can stroke it consistently from deep. There are guards who can finish in the mid-range. And then there are guards who can do all 3. Teng falls into that last category, which helps explain his high national ranking.
The best way to describe Teng is with one word: Scorer. He can score from all levels. Whether it is a half court set or in transition, he finds a way to put the ball in the hoop. Providence needs more of these type of players who can get a bucket on their own when the offense breaks down. Cooley is a fantastic play-caller, but I often wish we had more guys who can create when everything goes awry. Devin Carter and Bryce Hopkins are unique like that. Teng appears to be able to do much of the same, albeit in a different way than Carter and Hopkins.
I think Teng’s best quality at this point in his career is his three point shooting ability. This is also what Providence needs more of.
Providence Program Fit
Throughout the years, we’ve had shooting guards who could hit the three with consistency, but couldn’t do much else beyond that (Lindsay and Reeves come to mind). Teng probably measures up equally with those two when it comes to scoring from deep, but he also has the ability to put the ball on the deck and finish both in the mid-range and at the rim. The inability to identify a weakness offensively is a huge asset for Teng and what makes him special.
Where Teng becomes more of a weapon for Providence is when you pair him with Mulready. Mulready is a big-bodied guard who plays downhill, and his preference is to use his size to finish at the rim. Having a weapon like Teng spaces the floor even more for Mulready. Additionally, Mulready will draw in help defenders when he drives, and he can drive and dish to Teng for the open three. It’s a beautiful pairing.
If Teng were to commit and enroll, the Friars would have a STACKED backcourt. Mulready and Teng would be freshman, with Dual, Santoro, Pierre, Carter, Floyd Jr., and Breed (COVID year) already there. I’m lumping Hopkins in as a forward, not a guard, for what it is worth. That’s a Top 10 program type of backcourt littered with Top 50 and 100 talent.
Summary
Mulready being the first domino in the 2024 class is massive. He is a local talent that is known nationally as a blue chip recruit. Elite recruits want to play with 1. Players they know 2. Other elite recruits. Mulready being in the fold helps incentivize others to join the Friar program.
This one will be a tough pull, but everything is going well this season for Providence. They are nationally ranked and coming off a Sweet 16 run. The perception of this program is shifting from scrappy underdog to consistent Top 25 program. That is a big shift, which makes it easier for 4 and 5 star talent to feel comfortable attending there.
If Providence can somehow outlast the Spartans and other big name programs, they’ve again raised the bar for program expectations. We’re now talking about Elite 8’s and better, not Sweet 16’s.
Providence Crier – Other Recruiting Articles
Crier Recruiting Corner: Kayvauhn Mulready – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/01/09/friars-land-24-worcester-academy-guard-kayvaun-mulready/#more-5741
Crier Recruiting Corner: Kany Tchanda – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2022/12/29/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-kany-tchanda/
Class of 2024 Recruiting Primer: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2022/04/08/providence-college-basketball-recruiting-class-of-2024/#more-4864