Connor Whalen ‘28

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on October 23, 2025

Providence College men’s basketball head coach Kim English showed he has no intention of taking his foot off the gas when it was announced that four-star recruit Aiden Derkack ’30 will commit to PC. Derkack represents the first of the 2030 freshman class and the first offseason addition in anticipation of the 2026–27 season. The new recruit lands just outside the top 50 in Top247’s national rankings, demonstrating just how groundbreaking this news is for PC men’s basketball. That slots Derkack just narrowly outside the top 10 recruits in PC’s history, a further testament to English’s pull when it comes to bringing in exciting, high-profile talent.

Derkack does not necessarily stand out for any particular aspect of his game, but he is a well-rounded player who looks like he has the capacity to succeed at the college level. His athleticism, while not necessarily eye-opening, shows on both ends of the floor. Defensively, the guard should excel, and his offensive game is multifaceted. He can finish at the rim, possesses a good handle, is a skilled playmaker, and even has an impressive post-game. At 6’5” and 195 pounds, he plays bigger than his size and is not afraid to be physical, though he may need to put on some weight as he enters college given his slightly slender build. The one weakness in his game is his perimeter shooting, though there are no glaring issues with his shooting form, suggesting there could be room for improvement.

The addition of Derkack adds even more youth to a Friars roster that already has plenty. The starting lineup this year is certain to be senior-heavy, and those seniors will be sorely missed after this season, but the future nonetheless looks bright. Derkack has the opportunity to team up with the talented rising sophomore class of Jamier Jones ’29, Jaylen Harrell ’29, Stefan Vaaks ’29, and Peteris Pinnis ’29, while the Friars hope to retain other players like Daquan Davis ’28, Oswin Erhunmwunse ’28, and Ryan Mela ’28. 

English’s ability to pull in big-time talent—whether in the transfer portal or via freshman recruiting—has been yet again proven via the addition of Derkack. Adding Jones, Derkack, Erhunmwunse, and Harrell deserves recognition in and of itself in terms of sheer talent and scouts’ ratings. English must now prove that his team can put everything together on the court; in the next year or two, especially with the talent he has brought in, expectations will only get higher, and he will face greater scrutiny. This year, the team has been predicted in several polls to land in No. 4–5in the Big East, giving them a potential NCAA tournament bid. The next two years, especially with the young talent English has lured to PC—most importantly, Jones and, now, Derkack—will be crucial in the English era.