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BOC’s Preseason Analysis of 2026-2027 Roster: The Good, The Bad (?), and The Unknown

With Providence seemingly having a complete roster, sans a few late summer additions that will serve as presumably rounding out the bottom of the roster for depth purposes, the Friars have in essence built out their team for the 2026-2027 season. What do we think?

At The Providence Crier, we have written up individual player previews and impact analyses on each of the players. Take a look at those articles if you want a deep dive on each player and what they’ll bring to the 2026-2027 Friars.

Below, I take a holistic look at the roster and analyze the perceived strengths, potential weaknesses, and current unknowns as we head into the dog days of Summer. Let me know what you think, where you agree with me, and where you may differ in opinion.

As always, Go Friars!

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.

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.

NEWS: Georgetown transfer guard Malik Mack has committed to Providence, a source told @On3.

The 6-2 junior averaged 13.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season.https://t.co/P2CLLLO2iq pic.twitter.com/vLtrwYjYYk
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 21, 2026

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.

Arrinten Page would a good get for Providence.

Not totally sure what happened at NW this year, but he showed some awesome flashes in the beginning of the year.

Has some real passing stuff + is a physical beast.

I still believe he at least gets a cup of coffee in the NBA. https://t.co/thTxj4lmpO
— JPR (@Scouting_Col) April 17, 2026

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

Arrinten Page becomes the 6th player added to the Friars via the portal. We will have a commitment article out at some point tomorrow but until then check out the preview article we wrote earlier this week ICYMI.

Go Friars! https://t.co/9PdOYczdFA
— TheProvidenceCrier (@ProvidenceCrier) April 18, 2026

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.

NEWS: Memphis is involved with Northwestern G Jayden Reid (@jaydenreid0), source confirms to me.

Auburn, VCU, Kansas State, Texas A&M + others are also reportedly involved. Averaged 10.1 PPG and 5 AST on 39/32/82 splits.

Reid can really dish it (2.69 AST/TO + top 5 in B10 in… pic.twitter.com/mAlR5BCUmw
— Hitmen Hoops (@HitmenHoops) April 9, 2026

We break down his game below.

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

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.

Yale forward Samson Aletan recently completed a visit to Providence, per source.

Friar? pic.twitter.com/FBVO17MsF3
— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) April 14, 2026

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

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.

NEWS: SF Austin’s Jerald Colonel is entering the transfer portal, his agent Larry Hall of @HOFSportsGroup told @LeagueRDY.

The 6-foot-9 big man out of Savannah, Georgia was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year this season.

He averaged 5.0PPG, 7.3RPG,… pic.twitter.com/PcjeNDY9qH
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) April 6, 2026

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

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.

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.

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.

pic.twitter.com/NRopWUoEpy
— Bryan Hodgson (@CoachBHodgson) April 8, 2026

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's combination of athleticism and playmaking makes him one of the top guards in the Portal. @CorBrown02

Started 34 of 34 games and led USF in assists per game en route to a 25-win season and an NCAAT appearance

Former 4⭐️ played on the 3SSB circuit with Game Elite. pic.twitter.com/lnckjG9qNj
— GREENLIGHT MEDIA (@greenlightbball) April 6, 2026

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.

NEWS: USF point guard CJ Brown is entering the transfer portal, his agent Justin Brown tells @247SportsPortal

Brown averaged 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists pic.twitter.com/KYNkeTO3my
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) April 4, 2026