Second Time is the Charm: One-Time Friar Commit Daquan Davis Transfers to Providence

With Bensley Joseph running out of eligibility and Jayden Pierre transferring out, Providence was in dire straits when it came to the point guard position. It was by far the most important position to fill this offseason (above even finding a BHop replacement).

A familiar face has found his way back home. 2024 Top 100 high school recruit Daquan Davis, a one-time Friar commit, is transferring back to Providence after spending his freshman year in Tallahassee at Florida State. The 6’1 guard from the DMV is known for his scoring ability and rugged tenacity on the defensive end, and it was seen as a blow when Davis originally de-committed from Providence.

For Davis, the transfer makes a ton of sense. He is familiar with Kim English from his recruitment in high school. Kim has ties to the DMV area, so I’m sure there is some comfort there being away from home. More important, there is a plethora of playing time available to Davis. We’re not sure how the rest of this portal build-out will go, but it is a safe assumption to assume Davis will be, at worst, first guard off the bench getting 20 minutes a game. Realistically, he may be the starting point guard playing 25-30 minutes barring a game changing addition at the lead guard spot.

Beyond what he brings offensively and defensively, Davis did nothing but win at the high school level. I like adding winning, highly ranked players like that.

We break down the game of Davis, his production at Florida State, and what this means for the 2025-2026 Friars.

The Flag Has Been Planted – 2024 DMV PG Daquan Davis Commits to Providence, Coach Kim English

College Production

Davis averaged 8.8 points a game on 26 minutes played. He started 20 of 31 games played. His field goal percentage (36.1%) and three point field goal percentage (27.9%) leave a lot to be desired, but you can chalk that up to a freshman acclimating to playing high level basketball in the ACC. His free throw percentage of 83% shows he has a reliable stroke. Davis averaged 2.5 assists/game to 1.6 turnovers/game.

His defensive chops shined through, averaging 1.1 steals/game.

While his stats may not jump off the page, to be able to average almost double digits as a freshman is a ringing endorsement. The best is yet to come for Davis.

Analyzing Daquan’s Game

Offensively, Daquan is at his best in transition. Despite being 6’1, he is a crafty finisher at the rim. His best asset offensively is his scoring aptitude.

While I’ve been calling for our lead guard position to be more of a facilitator, I also recognize we’ve historically had trouble putting the ball in the bucket. We didn’t have enough guys last year who can take their man 1:1 and score out of system. Too many of our players last year had their offensive games manufactured by the offensive system. We need more guys who can create in chaos. I can live with a score first point guard as long as that isn’t then only aspect of his game, which it isn’t in this case.

His freshman year stats do not mirror his scoring ability we saw at the prep level. I’m a bit concerned by the poor shooting percentages, but willing to be patient and use his freshman year as a learning curve to adapting to the college game.

Where I like Davis the most is on the defensive end. He’s a pesky defender who is willing to get in the grill of his defender. Providence needs more of his attitude, and I think they’ve gone 2 for 2 with that by adding Davis and Hargrove. I worry about Big East teams exposing him in the pick and roll, similar to how teams did with Joseph and Pierre, but I’m hopeful his on-ball defense, willingness to play D, and quick hands mitigate that. It’s a valid concern, however.

What This Means for the Friars

Providence had two gaping needs heading into this offseason: a point guard of the future and frontcourt depth. Providence is far from done in the portal, but they’ve essentially checked the box on filling those two holes. I still would like to see Providence add the following in the portal, for what it is worth: another ballhandler preferably with 2-3 years of college experience, a high level starting 4, and a luxury addition of a scoring wing. If they can add those 3, alongside Davis and Hargrove, their roster will be in a really healthy place.

I’ve said too many times this past year that I want to add a point guard that will be Kim’s point guard for the next 2-3 years. No more one year mercenaries at the lead guard spot. Davis in all likelihood is that guy. To get a guy from Kim’s neck of the woods in the DMV speaks volumes, as it may entice other DMV area players to come up north to Providence.

This pick-up also provides some long term stability for the Friar program. With the recent additions of Mela, Oswin, Jamier, and Harrell via high school recruiting, the roster is well built for the next couple of years at the 2-5 spots. The one glaring need was a quarterback of this team at point. They now have that, as Davis can play alongside all of the above for the next 3 years. That’s a nice luxury to have if you are Kim English, as continuity is key in college basketball and so rare to find these days. He won’t have to go portal shopping for 4+ guys moving forward.

The Pursuit of a Point Guard – The Missing Piece of the 2025 Class

I’m also incredibly high on this pick-up because this is a portal add where Kim has a longstanding relationship with this player going back to high school recruiting. I’ve made my opinions clear on how poorly I thought the Friar staff did last year in the portal, but I think I’ve also been fair saying I think Kim is an EXCELLENT talent evaluator at the prep level.

Rich Barron, Ryan Mela, Oswin Erhunmwunse = All Big East Freshman. Jamier Jones = top 50 recruit. Jaylen Harrell = top 100 recruit. Davis was supposed to be part of that Mela and Oswin class, and if English wants him back in the fold, it speaks to how highly he must have felt about Daquan coming out of high school.

What’s Next

The Hargrove and Davis additions solve for two immediate needs.

Hargrove is, at worst, the first big off the bench and provides some stability behind Oswin. They haven’t had a serviceable back-up big in either of Kim’s two seasons at the helm. There’s a world where Hargrove can be the starting four, who knows. Let’s let them sort that out at practice.

Davis is either going to be the first guard off the bench or will be the starting point guard. In short, English has found two guys who solve for glaring needs.

Now, English can be selective on who he wants moving forward. As mentioned above, I’d like to add 2-3 more bodies and then call it a day in the portal. Another ball handler, another high quality frontcourt player, and a wing whose best asset is shooting. If they can do that, they’ll be rolling into 2025-2026 with a highly competitive roster.

Go Friars.