We have heard for the past year that the narrative around a certain coach leaving was due to the inability to land blue chip recruits at Providence, a criticism that was targeted at the Providence athletic department, basketball program, and school itself. The national media followed lockstep with that narrative, echoing it for everybody to hear and proactively writing the eulogy for PC basketball.
Kim English and his staff must have missed that eulogy when taking the job.
In just a year at the helm as Providence’s lead man, Kim English has shattered that lazy narrative into a million pieces. Not only is he recruiting at a high level, he’s doing so without yet achieving postseason success. It’s time for all of the national media to issue a mea culpa and realize they were sold a false bill of goods by an excellent salesman.
Jamier Jones, a five star wing in the Class of 2025, has committed to Providence over the likes of South Carolina, Kansas, Houston, Ohio State, and LSU. Beating out a host of blue bloods for a five star wing in SEC territory? We’re entering uncharted territory with this staff.
Below, we break down just how important this commitment is.
While I’ve thrown some shade in the intro on Ed Cooley’s recruiting chops, he did win his fair share of blue chip recruitments with Kris Dunn, Ricky Ledo, and David Duke Jr. The common denominator? All “local” recruits. I’m not bashing him for this, as I’ve reiterated the importance of putting a fence around your recruiting territory adjacent to campus. One of my common complaints was him continually trying to dip into the Carolinas when he should have been focusing on recruiting in the Northeast where there is an abundance of basketball talent that is dying to play in the Big East.
I’m bringing this up because Ed Cooley never went into ACC/SEC territory and landed a five star recruit and pulled him from the tentacles of these blue blood programs. English took an NBA wing from the grasps of SEC programs and landed him in New England. The ramifications of this will be felt nationally in recruiting circles.
This recruiting win is a testament to what English and the staff are selling to recruits. It’s gotten to the point where Friar fans can feel confident going up against any program in the nation and feel like they have a legitimate chance of winning said recruitment. This is what happens when the staff, athletic department, and school are all in alignment, which appears to be the case. These are special times in Friartown, and it is time to turn these recruiting wins into postseason success, and I believe that time is coming sooner rather than later.
Let’s objectively look at how important this recruiting win is. Jamier Jones is currently ranked as the 22nd overall prospect in the nation in the Class of 2025. He is the second highest ranked recruit to commit to a program in the 2025 class. The third highest? 24th ranked big man Oswin Erhunmwunse. Where is he committed? Oh. Providence.
Jamier Jones is the type of big bodied wing that the Kentucky, Kansas, and Bamas of the world have in abundance. He will come in physically ready to play and won’t need time to develop physically. He’s already built like an NBA wing. He uses his physicality to be a beast in transition and on the glass. When he gets downhill, he is almost impossible to stop. On top of that, he has plus athleticism and plays above the rim. He has a reliable jump shot, making him a complete package on the offensive end.
Defensively, he has all the tools to be an All Conference level stopper. His length and size will make him a Swiss Army knife, being able to guard the 2-4 with relative ease. He’s a true two way wing.
In the era of the transfer portal, it is way too difficult to project a year in advance how Jamier fits within the Providence roster when he enrolls. Make no mistake though. He’ll be getting immediate minutes his freshman year and will likely be starting. We aren’t used to seeing these type of talents at Providence. He’s a one and done or two and done type of player.
It’s important to note that English has done a fantastic job building depth within the program. While Jamier is as elite as they come, Providence won’t need him to wear the Superman cape and carry the team as a freshman. As of this writing, he’ll be competing with Rich Barron, Corey Floyd Jr., Justyn Fernandez, and Ryan Mela for minutes at the 3/4. He’ll have veterans to learn from and guidance on how to be a D1 basketball player. It sets him up for success, as you don’t need to rush him onto the court out of necessity. If he’s playing or starting from the onset, it’s because he’s earned those minutes.
What’s Next
With Jamier Jones and Oswin Erhumwunse committed to the class, Providence now has the wing and frontcourt solved for in the 2025 class. What is missing? Right now, the glaring need is a point guard to be the successor to Jayden Pierre. With these two commitments, as well as what is currently on the roster, point guards at the high school and collegiate level should be knocking down the door to play in Friartown. As of 2025, Pierre will be a senior point guard. A class of 2025 point guard can learn under Jayden and then take the point guard spot as a sophomore.
I’ve got my eyes on Jalen Reece as a potential fit here, as Providence is heavily recruiting him. He is teammates with Jamier Jones in high school.
Jaylen Harrell is also a big guard in the mold of a 2/3 that Providence is heavily recruiting. He’d fit nicely next to Jamier, whom I consider more of a 3/4. Harrell would provide excellent shooting ability, while Jones is the bouncy wing that attacks the paint. Harrell is making a decision at the end of May as well.
If you want a more thorough scout of Jamier Jones, we wrote an in-depth analysis on him early on that is linked in this article.
Summary
In just one year as the head coach of Providence, English has landed two of the biggest recruits for the Friars in the modern recruiting era. It’s time to acknowledge that Providence will be a force to be reckoned with on the recruiting trail moving forward.
Providence no longer has to lean on being a 3 star and develop program like some former assistants incorrectly labeled the school as. English and Staff are elite recruiters, and the Jamier Jones commitment illustrates that.
Providence Crier Recruiting Articles
Analyzing Last Few Portal Hauls – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/26/portal-hauls-looking-at-the-friars-last-few-portal-classes/
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/
2024 Portal Guide – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/03/26/providence-crier-portal-guide/
2024 Portal Needs – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/03/24/2024-providence-crier-portal-needs/
Garwey Dual Transfers – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/03/22/garwey-dual-reportedly-enters-transfer-portal-analyzing-the-impact/
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/
2025 Recruiting Primer, Version 3.0 – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/04/30/2025-providence-college-high-school-recruiting-primer-version-1-0/
2024 Recruiting Primer, Version 8.0 – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2023/03/27/providence-college-basketball-recruiting-class-of-2024/
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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