The hunt for the next lead guard for Providence is on, with Hodgson and Staff offering a plethora of lead guards in the 2027 and 2028 class. One lead guard, Canadian Javion Tyndale, has set up a visit to Providence in late August to see the campus.
We profile his game, skillset, and recruitment below.
Recruiting Profile
Tyndale has had his stock skyrocket of recent. Tyndale led the Canadian U18 team to an upset victory over USA and was named MVP for that FIBA tournament. Since that time, Tyndale has seen his recruiting ranking soar, offers flow in, and exposure increase tenfold.
Prior to the last “open period”, Tyndale was an unranked recruit with offers from schools like East Carolina and St. Bonaventure. I am not knocking those schools, but more so using these offers as a frame of reference as to where Tyndale’s recruitment was. After the FIBA tournament, Tyndale saw his ranking soar to 59th nationally on 247 and 138th nationally at the 247 Composite. Since that time, he’s landed offers from Providence and West Virginia.
Despite the “high ranking”, I think many schools aren’t jumping in with an offer due to his 5’8 frame. Providence may be the beneficiary here with an early offer before his game explodes his senior year. When watching the tape, if Tyndale was 6’2, he’d be a unanimous 5 star recruit. The talent is abundantly there.
Tyndale not only just won MVP against some of the best prep talent stateside, he also plays daily against elite talent playing for Montverde Academy. For those unfamiliar, Montverde is one of the top 2 or 3 prep programs in all of America. If he is getting MVP titles for Canada and getting solid run at Montverde, that tells me a whole heck of a lot more than what his listed height is.
Analyzing His Game
When watching him offensively, he has a more complete game than you’d envision for a 5’8 point guard. While his strong suit is letting it fly from deep, à la a Sharaud Curry or Luwane Pipkins, he also is not afraid to mix it up with the trees in the paint. Like a Gavin Hightower, he sometimes will throw caution into the wind and attack the hoop without any fear, initiating contact with players that have 50-100 pounds on him.
If he isn’t seeking out contact, he uses his quickness to beat his defender to the rim and get the ball up and around the cylinder before the larger defender has a chance to contest his shot. He’s crafty around the rim, which shows a self awareness about his height and needing to put the proper English on the ball to score from unorthodox angles.
He’s a true point too in that he has a good handle and can run the show. He has the ability to find his teammates for open looks in a half court set while also initiating offense in transition. I have zero concerns there.
The only concern I have is how he’d hold up defensively in the Big East. Obviously, he’s undersized, but I question if the 5’8 is a gentleman’s 5’8 and he’s actually a 5’6 point guard. We’ve seen too frequently over the years taller guards will shoot over the top of some of our smaller players, and I think that concern is justified for Providence fans. Tyndale would need to show that he has an aptitude to play bigger than his listed height and really buy-in defensively if he wants to be a Big East caliber player. Some of his stats from high school and international play show a propensity to be a defensive pest.
I like the offer from Hodgson. Hodgson had success at USF getting players from the U18 Canadian national team to enroll at USF, so he may have an in or two up North.
Summary
Tyndale is limited in measurables, but is consistently proving doubters wrong whether it’s at the international level leading Canada to an upset over America or being the lead dog at one of the best high school programs in the country. At some point, you need to look past his height and realize this kid succeeds against whomever he is playing against.
If Hodgson thinks his game can translate to the Big East level, sign me up.