Author: bocfriar

2027 Recruiting Primer, Hodgson Edition: Version 1.0

At The Providence Crier, we take pride in keeping the readers up to date on all things high school and portal recruiting. With the hiring of Bryan Hodgson, I was thinking about editing our last version of the 2027 Recruiting Primer that we put together while Kim English was at the helm, but who knows if any of those guys previously offered by PC will still have committable offers.

Thus, we are starting from scratch. If you want to take a look at the previous 2027 Recruiting Primer, feel free below. I’m certain there will be names offered by the prior staff that also get offers from Hodgson.

2027 High School Recruiting Primer, Version 2.0

Mike and I will be updating this daily as news comes in with new offers, visits being set, etc.

Below, we’ll list the 2027 recruits with offers, and I also added a section of players I think should be offered by the Providence staff for a multitude of different reasons.

Continue reading “2027 Recruiting Primer, Hodgson Edition: Version 1.0”

A Hoya Changes Allegiances: Malik Mack Transfers in Conference to Providence

We have talked the past few days about two remaining needs for the 2026-2027 Friars before we deem the roster complete and no longer lacking any holes. One of those pressing needs was a lead guard to complement ascending talent Gavin Hightower. Providence has checked the box on one of those needs with the transfer commitment of Georgetown point guard Malik Mack.

Mack may have been playing on a basement dweller in Georgetown the past two years, but who are we to judge? The past two years for Providence have been abysmal, so I think it’s fair to wipe the slate clean for Mack and Georgetown and objectively analyze how he performed at the Big East level the last two years.

We go into detail on his game, what he does well, what he needs to improve on, and what he’ll bring to Providence.

Continue reading “A Hoya Changes Allegiances: Malik Mack Transfers in Conference to Providence”

Friars Bolster Frontcourt & Land Northwestern Big Arrinten Page

The roster is starting to crystallize for the 2026-2027 season for the Providence Friars. Last night’s commitment of Northwestern big man Arrinten Page gives Providence a nice 1-2 punch at the 5 position with Page and Yale transfer big Samson Aletan.

Page’s commitment is a massive win for the Friars. His career has been up and down, but when the motor is on and engine is running consistently, he’s has shades of an NBA big. I found myself wondering why he wasn’t more of a wanted commodity and known name this portal cycle, and I have to think it was because of the following:

1. Northwestern’s lack of success

2. His hot/cold streak. One game he looks like an NBA big. Another game he is a no-show.

3. This being his first year in three years of college producing.

Whatever the case, Providence is looking to build off Page’s breakout junior season at Northwestern.

He has untapped potential that many big men do not possess. He has the tools, and you hope Hodgson and staff can turn that potential into consistent production.

We break down the commitment below and project Page’s roster fit for 2026-2027.

Continue reading “Friars Bolster Frontcourt & Land Northwestern Big Arrinten Page”

Providence Crier Portal Player Preview: Northwestern G Jayden Reid

Providence is on a heater with landing several commitments over the past week, and PC is looking to close on Northwestern lead guard Jayden Reid as the next Shark sighting.

Hodgson and Staff have done an elite job of building out their wing with additions of Byrd, Vanterpool, Sabol, and Pate, while retaining Mela, and they yesterday added their first frontcourt player in Yale center Samson Aletan. I’d look to see Providence add another true center to the roster and a utility frontcourt player like a Jerald Colonel to have three game ready bodies in the frontcourt.

Now, the glaring gap in the roster is a true point guard. Gavin Hightower was a fantastic addition, as I think he’s going to be a first off the bench guard, but it would be a lot to ask a true sophomore who only played 10 minutes a game last year in the American to come in and run the show for a Big East squad. Hodgson needs to add a veteran lead guard to run point for this roster, and Jayden Reid just may be the guy.

We break down his game below.

Continue reading “Providence Crier Portal Player Preview: Northwestern G Jayden Reid”

The Shark Lands a (Different) Bird: Florida Atlantic Owl Transfer Devin Vanterpool Commits to Providence

Coach Bryan Hodgson is on a recruiting tear this offseason, flexing his recruiting chops in a way that even the most bullish of Providence fans wouldn’t expect. After retaining do-everything wing Ryan Mela and landing defensive weapon Myles Bird and G-League star Dink Pate, Hodgson and staff added another high level portal player into the wing rotation.

We did an in-depth player preview on Vanterpool below, and we’ll take the time to reflect on how Vanterpool will mesh with the current Providence players on the 2026-2027 roster.

Providence Crier Player Preview- Devin Vanterpool
Continue reading “The Shark Lands a (Different) Bird: Florida Atlantic Owl Transfer Devin Vanterpool Commits to Providence”

Providence Crier Portal Player Preview – Yale C Samson Aletan

Providence is on the hunt for frontcourt replacements, and Aletan has been added to the list of potential next Friars. The 6’10 225lb Samson Aletan from Dallas, Texas was reported to have been on campus on Monday as Coach Hodgson is looking to add bodies to the 4/5 position.

We break down Aletan’s game below and how he’d fit with the 2026-2027 Providence Friars.

Continue reading “Providence Crier Portal Player Preview – Yale C Samson Aletan”

Providence Crier Player Preview: Stephen F. Austin F/C Jerald Colonel

Providence is looking to replenish the frontcourt after the graduation of Cole Hargrove, departure of Oswin Erhunmwunse to Creighton, and presumed transfer of Peteris Pinnis. Hodgson is likely going to have to nab 3 frontcourt bodies to fill out the 4/5 position on the roster, and word has come that there is a Zoom meeting being set up with SFA frontcourt player Jerald Colonel early this week.

The Providence Crier will detail his game below and how he’d fit into the plans for the 2026-2027 Friars.

Continue reading “Providence Crier Player Preview: Stephen F. Austin F/C Jerald Colonel”

Hodgson Gets First Bull to Migrate North: Gavin Hightower Commits to Providence

We’ve been speculating about when we’d see a few USF guys that played under Coach Hodgson follow him north to Providence. We have our first domino to fall, as freshman 6’1 point guard Gavin Hightower is transferring to Providence College.

We detail the commitment below and highlight all facets of his game.

Continue reading “Hodgson Gets First Bull to Migrate North: Gavin Hightower Commits to Providence”

Player Portal Preview: Alabama Center Aiden Sherrell

The Shark is looking to land a 5 man to anchor his frontcourt, and Sherrell has made the short list on players Hodgson is pursuing for the 2026-2027 Friars. Sherrell played his first two seasons for Hodgson’s mentor in Nate Oats. The 6’10, 250lb big only played 9 minutes/game his freshman year, but exploded onto the scene as a sophomore.

We break down his game below.

Continue reading “Player Portal Preview: Alabama Center Aiden Sherrell”

Defensive Ace Joins Friartown: Miles Byrd Commits to Providence

The Hodgson era is off to a stellar start, with San Diego State grad transfer wing Miles Byrd committing to join Providence for his fifth and final year of college basketball. Bird chose the Friars over the likes of Kentucky, Baylor, Texas and Louisville. Hodgson has the reputation of being a Shark on the recruiting trail, and landing Byrd over the likes of the above schools only back that up reputation.

We break down the commitment and fit with Providence below.

Continue reading “Defensive Ace Joins Friartown: Miles Byrd Commits to Providence”

Portal Player Preview – USF Lead Guard CJ Brown

The junior to be from South Florida has entered into the transfer portal. After two successful seasons as the starting lead guard for the Bulls, Brown is testing the open market to gauge his market value. Presumably, Providence is on the short list of schools to consider, as Brown stuck around when Hodgson was hired and had a successful season under him. In his sole year under Hodgson, he started all 34 games, averaging 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

CJ Brown was a highly touted recruit for USF. 247 had him as a 4 star, #11 point guard in the class, and 114 overall in his class. The Peach State native chose the Bulls over offers from in-state Georgia, Georgia Tech, and SEC member Mississippi State.

We recap his career to date, detail his playstyle, and what he’d bring to the Friar program.

Continue reading “Portal Player Preview – USF Lead Guard CJ Brown”

Ryan Mela Creating a Legacy – Junior Do-Everything Wing Returns to Friartown

With the departure of Kim English, who recruited Mela to Providence, there was some concern that the “hometown kid” from Natick may look elsewhere with uncertainty around Bryan Hodgson and how he’d fit in his system. Those concerns have been assuaged, as Mela has decided to return to Providence for his junior year.

Continue reading “Ryan Mela Creating a Legacy – Junior Do-Everything Wing Returns to Friartown”