Emilia Farrall ‘28

by Emilia Farrall ‘28 on March 19, 2026

While the 2025–2026 season for the Providence College men’s basketball team was undoubtedly discouraging to most, there was one player who I believe made a positive difference overall this season. Compared to most, he is sneakily underrated, and his impact is not talked about enough; No. 20, Nilivan Daniels ’28. Daniels embodies the grit and resilience of the PC Friars that we all hold close to our hearts on campus. He is a graduate of Chaminade College Prep in Missouri and their powerhouse basketball program, which boasts notable alumni such as Jayson Tatum and Bradley Beal. During his time in high school, Daniels was Metro Catholic Player of the Year and averaged 18.8 points per game. He also held the highest three-point shooting percentage in Chaminade College Prep history. Despite his high school success, Daniels did not receive any Division 1 offers out of high school and instead opted for a postgraduate year at Link Year Prep. Daniels did not let this discourage or frustrate him, but instead chose to keep improving day by day. The decision to do a postgraduate year eventually paid off, as he accepted a preferred walk-on spot at PC, giving him a chance to fulfill his dream of competing at the Division 1 level. After a good first season in Providence, Daniels was awarded a full scholarship by former head coach Kim English for the 2025–2026 season, showing a belief in his ability and development as a player. This season, Daniels has appeared in 20 games, a significant increase from his six appearances last season. He has worked hard to get into the regular rotation during conference games. Daniels had a season high of seven points against the University of Connecticut on Jan. 27. Players like Daniels are often overlooked because their impact is not always shown in the team’s box score. However, his energy and willingness to help the team wherever possible are what make him a greater player and overall teammate. Many times, Daniels’ work on the court has provided a spark that has carried momentum for the Friars. Overall, he constantly embodies the type of teammate you want on your team, embracing every possible opportunity as he works his way up through the basketball ranks. Even in a season that has not met anyone’s expectations, Daniels demonstrates how the future of Friars basketball can still be promising.