September 26th, 2024 Update: With the season on the horizon, the 2025 class is close to complete, and Kim English and Staff are looking to put the finishing touches on an already stellar 2025 high school class.
Currently, the following players are committed in the 2025 Class (ranking based on 247 Composite):
Jamier Jones – 4 Star, 37 Overall, Small Forward
Jaylen Harrell – 4 Star, 101 Overall, Wing/Scoring Guard
The theme of the 2025 class originally was “Hunting for Five Stars”. Consider that mission accomplished. Coach English and Staff have brought onto campus the “who’s who” of elite recruits in the 2025 class, and it has already paid off with the commitment of Oswin Erhunmwunse (reclassified into 2024 class and already making a mark on the roster), Jamier Jones, and Jaylen Harrell. Oswin, if he stayed in the 2025 class, would have been a five star Top 20 player for his class realistically. Jamier Jones is currently just outside the 5 star range at 37 overall in his class in the 247 Composite Rankings. Lastly, Jaylen Harrell is 101 overall for his class and a 4 star.
In the past, I used to say that Providence is going to lose far more than win when competing for blue bloods. It is unfortunately what I was used to as a Friar enthusiast. That narrative may need to be shifted after Providence has consistently beaten out top tier blue bloods for Oswin, Jamier, and Jaylen. Here are some of the schools they defeated: Kansas, Alabama, Houston, LSU, Ohio State.
The final theme for this 2025 class is filling in the missing puzzle piece. That puzzle piece is landing a point guard of the future to succeed Jayden Pierre. We wrote a separate article on this topic on the Crier website, but, in short, Providence has landed so many talented players in the portal, 2024, and 2025 recruiting class that English and staff should be able to hand select their point guard for this class. If I’m an elite point guard, I look at the bevy of talent on the PC roster and am knocking down the door to play here. Once they land a ball handler (or two, if the right situation arises), the 2025 class will be complete.
I’m keeping my eye on Jalen Reece as the PG of the Future for Providence. Reece has the Friars in his final pairing of schools with a decision likely in the next few months. Reece is a 4 star and ranked 65 overall. Providence is also swinging for the fences trying to land 5 Star Point Guard Mikel Brown. I wouldn’t consider them the favorites, but they are in the mix, and the Jamier Jones commitment has shown that you cannot count out this staff on the recruiting trail.
Once complete, this class will be unanimously considered a Top 25 class in the nation. As of this writing, the commitments of Jamier Jones and Jaylen Harrell make this a Top 10 class nationally. If they were to add a 4 star, Top 100 point guard and nothing else, they should finish squarely in the Top 20 nationally, and that is unchartered waters for Providence. The cherry on top of all of this is that if Oswin stayed in the 2025 class, Providence would legitimately have a chance to finish as the #1 recruiting class in the nation. Wild times up in Friartown.
Below, we list out the 2025 recruits who have either received an offer from Providence or have had Providence show legitimate interest. Just like our other recruiting articles, we’ll continue to monitor the offer list and update this article as more offers inevitably come into the fold.
We’ll also detail below the needs in this 2025 class, which have become a bit more clear.
Trends Around the 2025 Class
One thing that jumps out to me is English’s insistence on offering high level, blue chip talent. He isn’t afraid to go up against the best of the best in recruiting battles. We saw Cooley do that early in his PC career, but that effort somewhat waned in the latter years of his time at Providence. He put less focus on high school recruits and more focus on transfer portal kids. It worked, so I’m not complaining, but I always prefer seeing a kid develop over his four years in college at one school.
Devin Carter’s success, winning Big East Player of the Year, and being drafted in the lottery of the NBA Draft has helped cement English as a developer of talent that can get players in The League. If Hopkins can bounce back and have a season similar to 2022-2023, the narrative around English will be getting the most out of his players in college (Josh Oduro another great example) while also getting them ready for The League. There isn’t much buzz for Hopkins now, but I can see Bryce Hopkins being a late first rounder in the 2025 Draft if he gets his shot sorted out. Coach English can talk about how he knows what it takes to get to the NBA due to his own personal experience, but backing it up with Carter being a draft pick is another feather in his cap.
With the addition in the transfer portal this offseason of Christ Essandoko, along with the enrollment of Bonke and Erhunmwunse, the Friar frontcourt is as healthy as it’s been in some time. Bonke and Essandoko will each have three years of eligibility, while Erhunmwunse will have four years. Thus, I don’t really see English pursuing a five man in the 2025 class, even with Oswin reclassifying.
The focus for the 2025 class has been around the backcourt and wings due to losses of Joseph, Abdur-Rahim, Cardet Jr., as well as Bryce Hopkins after the 2024-2025 season. Consider this box checked with the commitments of Jamier Jones and Jaylen Harrell. Jamier is likely the heir apparent to Bryce Hopkins as a big 3/small ball 4, while Jaylen Harrell is the 2 guard that can threaten from deep. Combine those two with Floyd Jr., Barron, Fernandez, and Mela, and the wing is well stocked.
Despite the losses after the 2024-2025 season, Providence will have a lot of core players returning in 2025 that will cap the number of high school and portal adds. I’ve listed these players below with their eligibility as of 2025-2026:
Jayden Pierre – 1 Year
Corey Floyd Jr. – 1 Year
Justyn Fernandez – 2 Years
Rich Barron – 2 Years
Ryan Mela – 3 Years (maybe 4 if redshirting)
Anton Bonke – 2 Years
Christ Essandoko – 2 Years
Eli DeLaurier – 3 Years
Oswin Erhunmwunse – 3 years
Jamier Jones – 4 Years
Jaylen Harrell – 4 Years
Things can change over a year, but that is an excellent core of returning players a year from now. English can be incredibly selective in the portal, as he will likely only have 2 scholarships to offer. This is night and day from this past offseason where the roster was turned over by transfers out, transfers in, and players losing eligibility. It is a healthy sign to not have to turn over the majority of the roster year over year. That’s not sustainable if you want to be a consistent upper echelon program.
The primary need for the 2025 class moving forward will be finding a successor to point guard for Pierre. Ideally, you have a freshman learn under the senior Pierre so he has a year of tutelage under his belt. I also expect them to target a point guard in the transfer portal so that a hypothetical injury to Pierre doesn’t derail the 2025-2026 season by relying on a true freshman.
Secondary needs are more combo guards and wings. Somebody needs to slot into the four spot after Hopkins departs. Jamier Jones is likely that guy, but it may be prudent to land a college ready 4 who has skins on the wall at the collegiate level. English could play a two big system with Essandoko/Bonke/Oswin at the 4/5, but I get the sense he wants his four to be more of a stretch four than another big man. Eli DeLaurier may be that guy by 2025 after developing for another year, but there’s no clear successor to BHop. English may try to sign a mercenary out of the portal to play the 4 spot.
As I’m writing this in the Fall of 2024 before the season, I’d expect the 2024 high school class to be smaller in nature, with 3 players the likely number. English will balance roster construction with high school players he covets and then fill the gaps on the roster via the transfer portal like we’ve seen him do the past two offseasons.
Guard/Wing
Jalen Reece – 4 Star Top 75 PG from Florida – https://247sports.com/player/jalen-reece-46136543/
If you are a betting man, this is the odds on favorite to be the PG of the future for the Providence Friars. Reece is the teammate of Jamier Jones, and Jones is in his ear about playing alongside him. Reece has shot up the rankings recently. There is playing time available to Reece, as Bensley Joseph will be out of eligibility after this year, and Jayden Pierre will be a senior by the time he enrolls. The fall will be telling, but we may see him choose his college before year’s end 2024.
Keep an eye out here.
Jake West – 3 Star Top 175 Point Guard from PA – https://247sports.com/player/jake-west-46147634/
We’ve seen this guy endless times over the years, haven’t we? Arch and Gillespie ring a bell? This is a kid in Nova’s backyard. If Wright was still Nova’s coach, he’d have an offer and be a commitment in their 2025 class. Jay Wright isn’t their coach anymore (thank god), and West has visited Providence already. I wouldn’t mind English extending an offer and taking a flyer on this kid. If Reece doesn’t work out, I wouldn’t be surprised to see West land an offer.
Mikel Brown Jr. – 6’2 PG from Florida playing for Overtime Elite – 5 Star Top 20 – https://247sports.com/player/mikel-brown-jr-46133264/
The irony wouldn’t be lost on me if we lost a 2024 point guard recruit from Overtime Elite (Daquan Davis) and landed a more heralded point guard from the same team in 2025. Brown visited during this past season for an official visit. Kim English is stockpiling elite recruits visiting. Providence needs a successor at point guard to Jayden Pierre, and they don’t have a 2025 point guard commitment.
Mikel Brown Jr. is considered one of the best PG’s in his class. I don’t see Providence winning this recruitment, but I’d be a fool to bet against English at this point.
Efeosa Oliogu – 4 Star Top 100 Wing – Plays for Overtime Elite, from Florida – https://247sports.com/player/efeosa-oliogu-46135602/
The Overtime Elite connection continues to pay dividends. I had honestly written this recruitment off, but received a Thanksgiving surprise when Oliogu posted a picture on his official visit. Maryland and some SEC schools are all over this recruitment, so I remain skeptical, but getting him on campus for an OV is massive.
He’s your typical bully wing/small forward. He’s very physically gifted and would play Day 1.
Jaylen Harrell – 4 Star Top 100 Wing from Massachusetts – https://247sports.com/player/jaylen-harrell-46142624/
7/2 Update: English landed his guy for the 2 guard spot in the 2025 class. The local recruit chose Providence over Xavier, Kansas, Bama, and Rutgers, amongst others. This was quite a win.
Omarr Smith – Combo Guard from Baltimore, MD
This continues a trend of DMV offers in the 2024 and 2025 class.
Myles Blackley – Shooting Guard from Summit, NJ https://247sports.com/Player/Myles-Blackley-46136068/
Summit isn’t a traditional basketball program, which may be why we haven’t seen a lot of high major offers for Blackley. English is likely hoping to get in early here before offers flood in.
Jalen Rougier-Roane – Sidwell Friends in Washington, D.C. – https://247sports.com/player/jalen-rougier-roane-46136499/
English offered a handful of Sidwell Friends players the moment he was hired. This was one of those offers. It’s a wise move, given the history of success at this prep program.
Tyler Jackson – PG from Baltimore, MD – https://247sports.com/Recruitment/Tyler-Jackson-159189/RecruitInterests/
This is a recruitment that is typical of a high level DMV recruit. English will have his hands full pursuing Jackson, as Maryland, Houston, Bama, Illinois, and others have offered. English offered while at George Mason, and I expect that interest to continue.
Jerry Easter II – 6’5 SG playing for LaLu in Indiana – 4 Star, Top 50 Player – https://247sports.com/player/jerry-easter-46128043/
Playing for a nationally relevant program that produces a handful of high level D1 players a year seems like a wise move for Easter (another great name). He’s getting offers from all programs that traditionally have super physical, pro-ready wings like Tennessee and Florida State. This will be one to monitor.
BJ Davis-Ray – 6’5 Shooting Guard from Missouri – 4 Star, Top 125 Player – https://247sports.com/player/bj-davis-ray-46125422/
English again swinging for the fences. I like that he is offering these kids who play at top tier high school/prep programs, like Davis-Ray does at Link Academy.
Meleek Thomas – 6’4 PG from Pennsylvania – 5 Star, Top 10 Player – https://247sports.com/player/meleek-thomas-46134745/
This is the kind of player that plays a year in college basketball and is then a lottery pick. Thomas has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Connecticut, Duke, etc. You can’t say English is afraid of going against the heavyweights, that’s for sure.
Cam Ward – 6’6 Wing from Maryland – 4 Star, Top 75 Recruit – https://247sports.com/player/cam-ward-46134749/
Ward was another May offer from the Providence staff. Get used to hearing about them going head to head with Maryland and Georgetown.
Jamier Jones – 5 Star Wing from Florida – https://247sports.com/player/jamier-jones-46136175/
Providence doesn’t land players like Jamier often. They went into SEC territory and scooped him up. This was a massive recruiting win for English.
Forward/Bigs
Oswin Erhunmwunse – Center from Putnam Science Academy – 5 Star Top 30 – https://247sports.com/player/oswin-erhunmwunse-46137867/ – COMMITTED
You couldn’t ask for a better start to the 2025 class than landing Oswin. He is an elite recruit and plays a position of need. Now, we may see a waterfall effect where other elite recruits like a Jamier Jones or Joson Sanon want to play alongside him. We’ll see if he reclassifies into 2024. This was a massive win for Providence.
Tee Bartlett – 4 Star Top 75 Big from Nevada – 6’10 275 – https://247sports.com/player/tee-bartlett-46117537/
This was a very recent offer, coming in February 2025. Fans may be perplexed with this offer with the Oswin commitment, but the common belief is that Oswin will be reclassing to 2024, so there is a need to restock the cupboard with a big in 2025.
I’m curious if we still are pursuing Bartlett with the commitment of Essandoko and Bonke. This is a very healthy frontcourt.
Kareem Stagg – 4 Star 107 Overall from Virginia (IMG Academy) – https://247sports.com/player/kareem-stagg-46143155/
This is English and staff trusting their eval with a DMV recruit. He was offered over the summer, and his stock has skyrocketed.
Grayson Bennett – 6’8 Forward from Texas
Bennett is an under the radar recruit that recently visited Providence on an unofficial visit. This is likely a name that English and staff will continue to monitor to see how he develops as an upperclassmen.
Bryson Tiller – 5 Star PF from Overtime Elite – 6’9 240lb – https://247sports.com/player/bryson-tiller-46117497/
Tiller was another visitor on campus, thanks to the Overtime Elite connection. He is 8 overall in his class and likely a one and done. I don’t expect Providence to be too much of a contender, but stranger things have happened.
Prediction (9/26 Update)
BOC: Sticking with my prediction from July.
My updated 2025 class prediction is as follows: Jamier Jones, Jaylen Harrell, and…Jalen Reece. A three man class with all of them being 4 stars would almost certainly be a Top 20 class, with a chance for it to be a Top 10 class depending on where their rankings end up by end of senior year. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jamier becomes a 5 star and Harrell rises to being a Top 50-75 recruit.
The one curveball is that I could see Kim English deciding to add two ball handlers in this class, so there is a scenario where I could see him taking a Reece AND Brown/Jake West.
Providence College Recruiting Articles
Jamier Jones Commits to Providence: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/05/06/five-star-jamier-jones-commits-to-providence-how-kim-english-has-obliterated-the-national-recruiting-narrative-around-providence/
Jaylen Harrell Commits to Providence – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/05/20/2025-shooting-guard-jaylen-harrell-commits-to-providence-kim-english-honing-in-on-elite-2025-class/
Oswin Reclassifies, Joining Providence 2024-2025 Roster – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/06/24/oswin-erhunmwunse-reclassifies-analyzing-the-impact/
The Pursuit for a Point Guard: 2025 PG Recruiting – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/05/22/the-pursuit-of-a-point-guard-the-missing-piece-of-the-2025-class/#more-9325
2026 Recruiting Primer – Version 1.0 – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/05/08/the-providence-crier-2026-recruiting-primer-version-1-0/
Wesley Cardet Jr. Commits to Providence – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/21/wesley-cardet-jr-commits-to-providence-friars-get-their-scoring-guard/
Jabri Abdur Rahim Commits to Providence – Analyzing the Impact – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/18/wing-jabri-abdur-rahim-joins-the-friar-family-analyzing-the-impact/
Analyzing the Impact of Chris Essandoko – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/10/the-return-of-christ-one-time-friar-commit-transfers-to-providence/
Crier Recruiting Corner – Introducing Miami Guard Bensley Joseph – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/02/crier-portal-guide-spotlight-miami-guard-bensley-joseph/
Crier Recruiting Corner, Introducing Jaylen Harrell – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/02/20/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2025-wing-jaylen-harrell/
Crier Recruiting Corner – Introducing Jamier Jones – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/02/19/crier-recruiting-corner-taking-a-look-at-oak-ridges-jamier-jones-25/
The Week of the Frontcourt – Turning a Weakness into a Strength – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/01/14/the-week-of-the-frontcourt-turning-a-weakness-into-a-strength/
Providence Lands 2025 Big Oswin Erhunmwunse – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/01/11/providence-lands-elite-big-man-oswin-erhunmwunse-analyzing-the-commitment/
Introducing 7’2 JuCo Recruit Anton Bonke –https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/12/19/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-72-center-anton-bonke/
Recruiting Rankings Matter, Part 2: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/12/06/recruiting-rankings-matter-part-2-how-far-is-the-roster-talent-from-championship-quality/
Recruiting Rankings Matter, Part 1: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/11/29/the-providence-crier-recruiting-feature-recruiting-rankings-matter-part-1/
Rankings Do Matter: Analyzing the Final Four Rosters by Recruiting Rankings – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2021/04/03/stars-in-fact-do-matter-analyzing-the-final-4-rosters-relative-to-recruiting-rankings/
Eli DeLaurier Commits to Providence & Reclassifies – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/09/06/eli-delaurier-reclassifies-and-joins-friars-for-upcoming-season/
Ryan Mela Commits to Providence –https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/08/01/friars-add-3-star-wing-ryan-mela-to-2024-recruiting-class/
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