Emilia Farrall ‘28

by Emilia Farrall ‘28 on September 18, 2025

As head coach Kim English enters his third season at Providence College, the team looks a little different this year. With the loss of key scorers such as Bensley Joseph ’25, Jayden Pierre, and of course Bryce Hopkins to another Big East competitor, it leaves us to wonder who will step into those important gaps and how the season will play out for the Friars.

English’s returning players are key to team dynamic and success this season. Important returning players for the Friars include Oswin Erhunmwunse ’28, Corey Floyd, Jr. ’26, Rich Barron ’27, and Ryan Mela ’28. Erhunmwunse is the only returning player who appeared in every game for the Friars last season. As a guard, Floyd is PC’s top returning scorer, averaging 9.2 points per game. Barron started in nine of his 27 appearances last season. Mela averaged 6.4 points per game last season and was named to the Big-East All Freshman Team.

Providence is known for utilizing the transfer portal effectively and always landing talented recruits. Key transfer from Vanderbilt, Jason Edwards ’26G, played in all 33 games and boasted an impressive average of 17 points per game, scoring double figures in 31 of the 33 games last season. Edwards was named to the 2025 All-SEC third team. Jaylin Sellers ’26G, who transferred from the University of Central Florida, only appeared in three games last season due to an injury, but still maintained an average of six points per game that season. In the season prior, Sellers appeared in all 33 games for the Knights and earned All Big-12 Honorable Mention. PC also secured international prospect Stefan Vaaks ’29. Vaaks represented Estonia in the 2025 European Championship and averaged 15 points per game in Latvia-Estonia Basketball League play. Additionally, Daquan Davis ’28, Jaylen Harrell ’29, Jamier Jones ’29, Jack Williams ’26G, Cole Hargrove ’27, Peteris Pinnis ’29, and Duncan Powell ’26G round out all new players for Coach English.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, Providence announced the upcoming season’s conference schedule. The Friars will play 20 games of Big East play, 10 on the road and 10 at home at the Amica Mutual Pavillion in downtown Providence. A notable matchup will be against Rick Pitino’s 2025 Big East championship team, St. John’s, which includes former Friar Hopkins. Hopkins ended his three year tenure at PC shortly following the conclusion of last year’s season. The Friars will face the Red Storm away on Jan. 3, and at home on Feb. 14, in what will be an exciting Big East matchup. Another electrifying matchup will be between former head coach Ed Cooley who now coaches Georgetown’s Hoyas. This rivalry has been beyond tense for both players and fans alike, and will continue to be so in the two games scheduled this season. The Friars take on the Hoyas at home on Jan. 24, and away Mar. 7.  

The Big East will continue to be one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. The Friars must adjust to the upcoming season’s challenges to secure a bid to the NCAA tournament this year. The team has put in substantial work this off-season to make a huge impact on the program, leaving Friar fans hopeful for the upcoming season.