Garrett Sundra, playing for the powerhouse prep DMV program Paul VI, has come onto the scene as a modern big that so many programs seem to covet. Sundra recently released a Final 5 list of college programs, and Providence is in that grouping. As all Friar fans know, Providence is also fighting to win the recruiting battle for his teammates Isaiah Abraham and Patrick Ngonba. Suffice to say, Paul VI will be a nationally ranked high school program this upcoming year with all of the elite talent in the 2024 class.
It is time for Friar fans to become more familiar with Garrett Sundra, as he reminds me of another stretch 4 that helped lead Providence to a Sweet 16 just two years ago.
Garrett Sundra – Recruitment
The 247 Composite rankings have Sundra as the 84th overall player, 4 star, and 3rd player in Virginia behind his two teammates (one committed to Duke and the other being Ngonba). Sundra is listed anywhere from 6’10 to 6’11 and has somewhat of a slender frame to date at 215lbs.
The final five schools, as indicated above, are Butler, Virginia Tech, Miami, Notre Dame, and Providence. What is interesting is that Sundra wants to make a decision before the end of Summer; however, he has yet to visit some of his finalists like Providence and Notre Dame. Butler is the only school that he has taken an official visit too, as he has unofficially visited Virginia Tech.
If you recall when Kim English was first hired, he made a trip to visit Paul VI. That effort, English recruiting Sundra’s teammates, and Sundra’s likely familiarity with English at George Mason, cemented the Friars in the Final 5.
If Providence wants to win this commitment, it is imperative they get him on a visit this summer.
Garrett Sundra – Analyzing His Game
Noah Horchler 2.0. We saw how vital having a forward who stroke the deep ball can be in the Providence run to the Sweet 16 in 2021-2022. Sundra can do just that.
He has a bit more size than Horchler, standing about 2-3 inches taller. Even with the added height, he can still run the floor, make the three ball, and finish at the rim. Horchler was sneakily athletic, exemplified by his rebounding numbers and ability to play above the rim. I’m not sure if Sundra has that same athleticism yet in his arsenal, but that is okay given he is 6’10-6’11. He also has a few years to develop athletically and physically.
Sundra does seem to have a bit more of the ability to put the ball on the floor than Horchler did. If you recall, Horchler’s offensive game could be a bit limited at times if a defender closed out on him and forced him to attack off the dribble. Sundra seems to have this ability to pump fake and finish in the mid-range.
Analyzing Roster Fit – Providence Friars
Readers are likely sick of me saying this, but Providence needs bodies in the frontcourt in the worst way. Sundra would help here at a minimum by adding numbers to the frontcourt. Even if Sundra commits to the Friars, Providence still needs a true rim protecting 5 man, but Sundra would be a great complement to that type of player. Sundra would be abused playing the 5 in the paint against some of the behemoths of the Big East. He’s better suited playing D against a 3 or 4.
Sundra is a great fit in Kim English’s 4 out offense. English ideally wants every player on the court capable of hitting the 3 (or at least having that in your bag as an option). Having your 4 man potentially be your most dangerous weapon from deep is a nice asset to have. Sundra could be particularly deployed in the secondary break as a trailer.
Prediction
You can’t feel great about this recruitment if you are Providence until Sundra steps on campus. English has a lot going for him in this recruitment, but Providence won’t be the winner until he visits Friartown. If that happens, all bets are off. This is one to monitor in the dog days of summer.
Friar Recruiting Articles
Crier Recruiting Corner – 2024 Wing Isaiah Abraham – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/06/26/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2024-wing-isaiah-abraham/
Daquan Davis Commits to Providence – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/06/24/the-flag-has-been-planted-2024-dmv-pg-daquan-davis-commits-to-providence-coach-kim-english/
2025 Recruiting Primer, Version 2.0 – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/04/30/2025-providence-college-high-school-recruiting-primer-version-1-0/
Crier Transfer Portal Spotlight – Will McNair Jr. – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/06/07/friars-fill-the-missing-piece-land-mississippi-state-transfer-big-will-mcnair-jr/#more-6963
Crier Recruiting Corner – Del Jones – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/06/03/crier-recruiting-corner-del-jones/
Crier Recruiting Corner – Patrick Ngonba II – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/05/06/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2024-center-patrick-ngonba-ii/#more-6900
Crier Recruiting Corner – Guard Daquan Davis –https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/05/06/24-recruiting-spotlight-daquan-davis/#more-6898
Crier Recruiting Corner: 2024 Big Man Somto Cyril: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/04/24/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2024-big-man-somto-cyril/
2024 Recruiting Primer, Version 6.0:https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/03/27/providence-college-basketball-recruiting-class-of-2024/
Transfer Portal Primer, Version 3.0: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/03/28/tracking-the-transfers-pc-targets-in-the-2023-portal-providence-crier-transfer-portal-primer/
Garwey Dual Commitment Article: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2022/09/01/deep-dive-analysis-of-2023-providence-commit-garwey-dual/
Transfer Portal Spotlight: Davonte “Ticket” Gaines: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/04/08/davonte-ticket-gaines-following-kim-english-to-friartown/
Rich Barron Commitment Article: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/04/10/richard-barron-commits-to-providence-analyzing-the-impact/
Transfer Portal Spotlight: Josh Oduro: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/03/25/transfer-portal-spotlight-george-mason-forward-josh-oduro/
Transfer Portal Spotlight: Justyn Fernandez: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/03/26/transfer-portal-spotlight-george-mason-wing-justyn-fernandez/
Crier Recruiting Corner: Kany Tchanda: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2022/12/29/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-kany-tchanda/