by Sarah Wolff ’28 on November 20, 2025

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For 90 years, The Cowl has followed Providence College’s achievements, heartbreaks, and defining moments. Few people have shaped our school’s athletic history as deeply as Lenny Wilkens ’60, and his recent passing has left the community grieving as well as reflecting on his profound greatness. As we celebrate our newspaper’s anniversary, it felt only right that we honor one of the greatest Friars to ever walk our campus. Wilkens was a man whose legacy extends past the sport, shaping future generations on and off the court.

Arriving on campus in the fall of 1956, Wilkens was not yet the Hall of Famer the world would soon know him to be. He was just a young man from the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. Yet, he had quick instincts and a work ethic that immediately set him apart. People who knew him when he was just a young man and those who knew him decades later use the same qualities to describe him—humility, poise, and unwavering competitiveness. Nothing about the way he acted or played demanded attention, but everything about him earned respect.

On the court, Wilkens was redefining what it meant to be a point guard. He wasn’t simply running an offense; he was conducting it. His athletic IQ was off the charts—he controlled tempo, dissected the defense effortlessly, and most importantly, prioritized his teammates. His brand of leadership was unmistakable, and his legacy is embedded in that. By the time he graduated, he was a two-time All-American and had led the team to their first NIT appearance in 1959 as well as the NITfinals in 1960. PC retired Wilken’s No. 14 jersey in 1996, the first Friar to have this honor, as he is a symbol of what the College could produce when talent is met with character.

His professional career more than fulfilled the promise that young Wilkens showed at PC. Drafted No. 6 overall in 1960, he began his NBA journey with the St. Louis Hawks, where he quickly became one of the league’s smartest point guards. During his time in St. Louis, he had multiple All-Star selections. In 1968, he moved to the Seattle SuperSonics, where he helped shape the team’s identity and the franchise’s eventual rise. From Seattle, he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, a young team that needed his stable presence to help reach their potential. He finished his playing career with the Portland Trail Blazers, taking on the impressive role of not only being a player, but a coach, too. His transition to coaching is proof of how widely respected his basketball knowledge had become.

Wilkens carried being a Friar with him everywhere. Not just as a line on his resume, but as a part of who he was. He spoke about PC with genuine love and credited the college for shaping not only his skills, but also his values. His passing feels immense because his life was immense, and he embodied the idea that true greatness requires both talent and character. Wilken’s legacy lives on each time a new Friar steps onto the court—we will miss him dearly.

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on November 20, 2025

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Providence College men’s basketball hosted the University of Pennsylvania to open week two of non-conference play, putting up a dominant performance on their way to a 106–81 win. Standout performers included Ryan Mela ’28—posting 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists in a double-double effort—and Corey Floyd ’26, who had a much-needed comeback game with 20 points. After the second-half debacle against Holy Cross University and a loss against Virginia Tech in a hard-fought battle, the Friars needed a convincing win, and their blowout result against the Quakers was just that. Jaylen Harrell ’29, Jack Williams ’26G, and Peterris Pinnis ’29 even received minutes after not seeing the court during the first three games. Harrell, an exciting freshman prospect and Massachusetts native, put up seven points in eight minutes during his debut. 

After securing their second win of the season, Kim English and his team traveled to Boulder to face the Colorado Buffaloes. After climbing back from behind to make it a one-point game at the half, Colorado outscored Providence by eight in the second half, the final result being 97–88 in favor of the Buffaloes. The road loss is a massive disappointment for the Friars; Colorado was ranked No. 15 out of 16 teams in the Big 12 coaches’ preseason poll. The defense, yet again, proved to be the Friars’ downfall and is becoming worrisome, to say the least. Colorado saw four of its players enter double digits, and shot 52 percent from the field and 35 percent from three. The offense thus far has really been a joy to watch, averaging 96 points per game, and, while the offensive system still seems slightly unclear and disorganized at times, English’s squad is getting it done on that end of the floor. Whether the team is still building chemistry and finding its identity or English and his staff have loose ends to figure out, the Friars’ defense simply needs to be better. The offensive success makes the defensive struggles even more annoying, as the team’s results are not yet reflecting its potential. To put the offensive success versus the defensive struggles in perspective, the Friars’ 96 points per game rank No. 24 out of 365 Division I programs. Their points allowed per game, 91, rank No. 351 out of 365. Strictly using those two stats, the Friars are in the top six percent of teams in the country offensively and the bottom four percent defensively. English and his players will have to figure these issues out soon if they want to make a push for the NCAA tournament, as these early-season losses can prove costly in the long run. The good news is they have plenty of opportunities against quality opponents to improve, as they are set to face Pennsylvania State University, the University of Wisconsin, and either Texas Christian University or the University of Florida at the Grady Children’s Invitational in San Diego, CA next, at the end of November.

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on November 13, 2025

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The Friars’ 2025–26 men’s basketball season kicked off against Holy Cross at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Monday, Nov. 3. The story of the game was clear early on: Kim English found an absolute gem in Estonian guard Stefan Vaaks ’29. An instant crowd favorite, Vaaks scored 19 points in 20 minutes, going five for nine from the field, three for seven from three, and six for six from the line. He came up with two steals, proving his worth on both ends of the floor, and was +14 for the night. Whether he finds his way into the starting lineup—which seems likely at this rate—or he provides English with a spark off the bench, Vaaks will be a crucial piece of theFriars team this year. Other notable performers included Jamier Jones ’29, logging 16 points in his debut—including several highlight dunks—and Ryan Mela ’28, who ended the game with 4 steals. 

One concerning aspect of the game was the second half drop off. After leading the Crusaders 44–27 at the half, the Friars were outscored in the second half 52–45. The second-half falloff is no new concept to anyone who watched PC men’s basketball last year. The offense remained consistent throughout the game, yet, defensively, giving up 52 points in one half to a rather uninspiring Holy Cross team is cause for major concern. Nonetheless, English and his team secured a win to kick off the season, giving major cause for excitement. 

The team then traveled to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut on Saturday, Nov. 8, to square off against the Virginia Tech Hokies, losing in overtime. The Friars had no answer for Neoklis Avdalas: the Greek freshman put up 33/5/6 in a dominant showing. The 6’9” forward did it all, shooting from deep efficiently—not to mention, taking difficult shots off step-backs and under heavy pressure—scoring in the paint, showcasing his playmaking ability, and logging a block and a steal. Avdalas will be an NBA first round pick—a lottery pick at that—and it should not surprise anyone if he finds himself in the top 10 come draft night. Finding a 6’9” point forward with his skillset is hard to come by, and NBA teams will recognize that. 

Losing to such a clearly talented and dynamic player is a slightly consoling fact for Friars fans attempting to cope with the loss, yet the result stings nonetheless. There is plenty of room for improvement, and the problems this team seems to already be facing are nothing new in Friartown. The Friars lost the turnover battle, giving up the ball in costly situations throughout the game, and defensively were scrambling throughout the entire game. Another frustrating aspect of the game was the play design in crucial situations. With the game tied and almost four seconds to win it and prevent OT, the Friars inbounded the ball to Vaaks, who then took a heavily contested, off-dribble three, fading away from the basket. The Friars then went into OT, and these were the results of the first three possessions: Jason Edwards ’26G missed a mid-range shot saved by a rebound and putback layup by Oswin Erhunmwunse ’28, Edwards blocked on a layup attempt, and Edwards blocked on a mid-range jumper. The Friars would then fail to hit shots, and an Erhunmwunse turnover leading to a fastbreak dunk was the absolute nail in the coffin. The offensive scheme simply lacks creativity; there has to be some variation instead of constantly playing iso ball. This team thrives when playing fast and scoring in transition, but in half-court sets, they simply were not good enough—and were far too predictable. If this offense breaks out of its stagnation by implementing more off-ball movement and screening, the sky is the limit for this team. Yet, if everyone in the building knows exactly what the offensive gameplan is, this team will suffer in crucial moments. 

There is, however, plenty to be proud of coming out of the loss: Edwards and Jaylin Sellers ’26G combined for 54 points—proving just how good this backcourt is—and the Friars put up 101 points against an NCAA tournament-level opponent. This team has to get better defensively, though Avdalas is about as talented of a player as this team will see all season. Other things to note are we are only two games in, almost everyone in the lineup receiving meaningful minutes is new to PC, and the team needs time to gel over the course of the season. There are legitimate causes for concern, but the Friars have time on their side and will have plenty of opportunities to work them out.

by Andrew Vines ’29 on November 6, 2025

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Men’s basketball head coach Kim English is known for his recruiting abilities, and this offseason, he performed well in both the transfer portal and the high school class. He brought in one of the top players in the portal in former Vanderbilt University guard Jason Edwards ’G26 and a top 50 high school prospect in forward Jameir Jones ’29. One of English’s newest additions to the roster could go under the radar. Transfer Jack Williams ’G26 committed in late June after the peak of the transfer portal after a unique journey to Division I basketball. 

After earning a degree in psychobiology at UCLA, Williams transferred to Providence College and is now in theCollege’s higher education graduate program. During his time in Los Angeles, Williams didn’t play for the Bruins D1 basketball team, but instead was a student manager for four seasons, serving as the head manager in his last three years. UCLA head coach Mick Cronin had high praise for Williams and his staff last season, saying, “If you could invest in people like the stock market, I would tell you guys just come to UCLA and invest in all of the student managers. You cannot lose. They’re so impressive.” William’s leadership gained from his three years as head manager could play a big role in the locker room for the Friars. But how did he end up on the roster at Providence?  

Williams is originally from Ann Arbor, MI. He played at Ann Arbor Skyline High School. In his senior year, the team went 8–5 in a shortened season. The two shortened seasons to end Jack’s career seemingly harmed his recruitment. He did, however, get his first offer in 2020 from Kalamazoo College, a Division III school in Michigan. While in high school, Williams got some high praise, with BankHoops saying, “There are some guards who can really shoot it in Michigan’s 2021 class, few better than AA Skyline’s Jack Williams. Scorched the nets at the IPS showcase.” Williams’ best skill is his shooting, with others describing him as a “sharpshooter” during his high school career. 

While at UCLA, Williams played on the club basketball team along with managing the D1 team. Williams’ time on the team included a lot of winning. He won two club basketball national championships, winning in both 2023 and 2025. The Bruins had three straight championship appearances in 2024 when they came up short, losing to James Madison University. In the 2024 loss, Williams had 12 points with three three-pointers. His best performance of that 2024 run came in the quarterfinals against the University of Miami, where he had 24 points, shooting seven for 13 from beyond the arc. In the semifinal, he shot two for four from the three-point line and ended with 14 points. Overall, Williams’ sharpshooting ability was on display in Erie, PA that weekend, shooting 12/25 (48 percent) from three. He also made the finals in the three-point contest at the NCBBA skills competition that same weekend. They avenged this loss in 2025. During the 2025 championship run, Williams averaged 14.7 points at the national tournament, highlighted by an 18-point performance against the University of Notre Dame in the Quarterfinals. In the Championship, he scored 15 points.   

Look for Williams to bring his leadership and knowledge to the team this season for the Friars. Providence is in a unique position with so much experience on one roster; the team includes a total of six seniors or graduate students. Friar fans will look forward to Williams playing a big role in this winning culture. 

by Emilia Farrell ‘28 on November 6, 2025

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At Big East Media Day, head coach Kim English emphasized a renewal all around for the Friars going into the upcoming season. To say that last season did not go as planned is an understatement. The team faced detrimental setbacks, struggling through injuries and inconsistent play, which resulted in their disappointing 12–20 record. Luckily, the work that English and the team have done in the offseason is already making an impact. In regard to their tremendous accomplishments in the transfer portal, English was looking to target players who already had a proven record of success. For instance, Jason Edwards ’26G, who played in a first-round NCAA tournament game with Vanderbilt University last season. The team’s  new transfer players were already well known in college basketball outside of the Providence College spotlight and know how to live up to high expectations. English also highlighted that the small group of returning players for the Friars are truly committed  to the team and their mission.

English believes that the road to success this season can be defined by “succeeding daily and habitually, after this, the games will take care of themselves.” He expects to “win games out of league and grow from there.” In the upcoming season, English noted that the team’s “depth, speed, connectivity, and closeness” will drive them towards success.  Off the court, English and the team have a strong relationship with the PC community. English echoes the constant support of the student section and that they are a key part of “what makes Providence so special.”

Entering his third season as head coach, English has made it clear that his coaching philosophy is rooted in accountability, discipline, and collective action. Although last season was plagued with many growing pains, the team has learned from it and has sharpened their vision going forward. They are looking to not only compete, but also reclaim their standings in the highly competitive Big East conference. Only time will tell for the Friars, but it most definitely will be an exciting season for players and fans alike.

by Flagg Taylor ’27 on October 30, 2025

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Before their opening home game against College of the Holy Cross on Nov. 3, head coach Kim English scheduled two preseason exhibition bouts for the Friars as they prepare to bounce back after a disappointing season. Neither of these games will count toward the Friars’ record during the season, but they were still a good test for the team, giving us a preview of what the 2025–2026 Providence College Basketball season might hold for Friar fans.

On Oct. 19, the Friars traveled to the University of Pittsburgh to play the Pitt Panthers in their first outing of the season. The starters included Jason Edwards ’G26, Jaylin Sellers ’G26, Corey Floyd Jr. ’26, Duncan Powell ’G26, and Oswin Erhunmwunse ’28. The opening four minutes of this game should excite all fans of the basketball team, as the Friars quickly jumped to a 16–6 lead over Pitt. Our quick start was very encouraging; it could end up being a preview of a very fast-paced and entertaining offense. However, after the under-four-minute timeout, coach English went with a completely new set of five players. In the press conference post-game, coach English said, “I would have 100 percent. I had a rotation sheet that I really wanted to stick to—we had the minutes allocated,” in response to a question about his quick removal of the starting lineup. After this, Pitt bounced back quickly, bringing the game close. Before halftime, Pitt went on a run and went up 41–31 going into the half. In the second half, Pitt led by as many as 13 points. Throughout the game, English continued to experiment with different lineups and combinations of players. The Friars fought back to only down a few points a couple of times late in the second half, but ended up falling short and losing 81–74 in their first exhibition game.  Edwards scored 19 points, showing he will be a dominant scorer as advertised. Powell had a very strong performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds as well.

This previous weekend, the Friars held their second exhibition game against Harvard University, this time in Providence, on Saturday, Oct. 25. Coach English had remarked that the rotations would be more similar to what fans could expect during the regular season. Corey Floyd Jr. did not play in this game due to injury and was replaced by Daquan Davis ’28, getting the nod to start. The Friars had a strong first half, commanding a 45–27 lead at half with only four turnovers recorded. The team struggled to shoot three-pointers, especially in the second half, and also let up on defense a bit in the second. However, the team still hung on to claim an 85–77 victory. Edwards had another strong scoring performance, totaling 16 points, leading the Friars in the category once again. Jamier Jones ’29 and Stefan Vaaks ’29 both had great, promising outings on Saturday. Jones netted an impressive and efficient 14 points in only 15 minutes, putting his physical prowess on display with multiple impressive dunks. Vaaks continued to play confidently with some good drives to the basket, and his three-point shot looked a lot better. Erhunmwunse had an efficient 12 points paired with nine rebounds. Transfer center Cole Hargrove ’26 also had an impressive defensive performance with a couple of blocks and steals.

Both games revealed some things the Friars could work on, defensively and offensively. However, these performances offered some very big, bright spots for the Friars this upcoming season. The trio of Edwards, Sellers, and Powell proved themselves as leaders offensively and defensively. Erhunmwunse looks much improved with a solid backup in Hargrove. The young core of Ryan Mela ’28, Davis, Vaaks, and Jones all showed potential to be key pieces for the offense. Defensively, this team is still a mystery to me, but offensively, Friar fans can expect to be explosive, fast-paced, and fun. As their exhibition games demonstrated, there is a lot of talent on the 2025–2026 Providence basketball roster.

by Izzy Mignardi ‘27 on October 30, 2025

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New Recruits and Returnees Give Insight into the Dynamics of This Year’s Team.

The buzz was palpable around the Providence College men’s basketball team as they attended the Big East Media Day at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 21. It was an opportunity for coaches and players to discuss last year’s season, offseason moves, strategies for the team this year, and their hopes about what this season holds.

Among the attendees from Providence were head coach Kim English, returnees Corey Floyd Jr. ’26 and Oswin Eurhunmwunse ’28, and newcomers Jaylin Sellers ’G26 and Jason Edwards ’G26. When asked why these players specifically were selected to represent the Friars, Edwards responded that this combination is a display of the current team and their plans. In the offseason, the returnees set a standard of “what winning is and what Providence is” for the recruits.Edwards, a guard from Vanderbilt University, immediately shared his appreciation for the Big East, where “basketball rules” and there’s not a lot of competition with other sports, like in the SEC. The Big East also provides the opportunity to play in world-famous arenas like Madison Square Garden. Edwards continued, explaining his goals for himself this year. He says it’s important to become more than just a scorer and to focus on his teammates, too. “When I get the ball, I make myself better, but I want to make those around me better.”

Sellers, a guard from the University of Central Florida who only played three games last year because of injury, said he’s the kind of player who brings passion to every play, someone “that’s ready to run through a brick wall.” These two new players weren’t shy about expressing their passion for Friars Basketball. Right away, they felt a connection to their teammates and with the community in Providence, where “everyone shows love,” as Sellers said.  But they both emphasized that the relationship they had with coach English was the selling point for coming to Providence, especially in the age of NIL. Edwards shared how coach English and the other coaches see the players more as people rather than athletes. “A lot of times in the portal era and NIL era, a lot of relationships with players and coaches seem business and transactional… Coach made it seem really personable. He cared more about me as a person than a player.”

Now that the roster is “reloaded,” what does the upcoming season hold? Last season, the Friars went 12–20 overall, lost in the first round of the Big East Tournament, and did not qualify for the NCAA tournament. But a recent pre-season coaches’ poll placed Providence No. 4 among the 11 teams in the Big East, following Creighton University in third, the University of Connecticut second, and St. John’s University first.

With that in mind, Corey Floyd Jr. explained that even though last season may have been disappointing, they’ll use that as motivation going forward. Despite losing their first exhibition game to the University of Pittsburgh, Floyd explained that it was a lot of the players’ first time being on a college court. He sees this game as a valuable lesson that they can bring to Saturday’s exhibition game against Harvard. As for coach English, his outlook seems to be one of quiet conviction. He said that “It’s going to be 11 teams at 0–0 when the season starts, and we’ll see who’s holding the trophy at the end.” The PC community and fans will most certainly be watching and with them every step of the way.

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on October 23, 2025

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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. 

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on October 9, 2025

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If you paid attention to Kim English’s upgrades to his team this offseason, you are already fully aware of the excitement this year in Friartown. If not, this article will help familiarize you with this year’s team, as I will lay out what I predict to be the team’s rotation to start the year.

Jason Edwards ’G26 and Jaylin Sellers ’G26 are guaranteed to feature in the backcourt together as the two most dynamic scoring threats on English’s roster. Edwards should see the most field goal attempts on the team, able to create his own looks and shoot off the dribble. Sellers is a capable secondary scoring option and should alleviate some of Edwards’ offensive responsibility. Corey Floyd Jr. ’26 is another expected starter and, as the only returning senior on the team, his leadership and experience will be crucial on and off the court. Floyd will serve as another primary ball-handler and should get open looks from behind the arc with defenses focused heavily on Edwards and Sellers. This backcourt is outrageously explosive and athletic, and, on the defensive end, will be a tough matchup for opposing offenses. 

Duncan Powell ’G26 looks suited to slide into the Friars’ power forward role. At 6’8” and 240 pounds, Powell gives the team another rebounder and a physical defender. He should serve as the third scoring option for the team, mostly cashing in on catch-and-shoot looks and post-up situations. Next to Powell, sophomore returnee Oswin Erhunmwunse ’28 looks set to round out the starting five at the center position. Standing at 6”10’ and weighing in at 235 pounds, he showed promise in his freshman year as a rebounder and shot-blocker. With one year of experience under his belt, and seemingly having put on some muscle, Erhunmwunse’s development could be crucial to this team’s success on defense. 

Jamier Jones ’29 will receive significant minutes from day one; the freshman is one of the most exciting prospects to ever commit to PC, and his athleticism and raw talent gives English a burst of energy off the bench. He could even start for this team by March if all the hype around him truly was real. Stefan Vaaks ’29 is another intriguing freshman set to come off the bench to begin the season. Scouts and analysts have praised English’s move to bring in Vaaks, a potential hidden gem from Estonia. He is a three-level scorer and an able ball-handler, and his background as a pro in Europe makes him NCAA ready off the bat. Daquan Davis ’28 is a gifted playmaker and rugged defender off the bench. He provides backup to Sellers and Edwards as a ball-handler and should get solid minutes. Ryan Mela ’27 returns, giving English the perfect depth option at the small forward /power forward position. Mela displayed impressive playmaking and rebounding skills in his freshman season, offering this team a unique skillset off the bench. Lastly, Cole Hargrove ’26 provides cover for Erhunmwunse at the center position. Measuring at 6’8” and 245 pounds, Hargrove is certain to play tough defense and give the Friars an energy boost off the bench. 

As a result of Jones’ arrival as one of the top recruits in PC history—and all the noise surrounding it—Jaylen Harrell’s ’29 commitment naturally, but undeservedly, lived in its shadow. Harrell is an exceptionally well-rounded player, averaging 22.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in his senior year of high school. The two-time Massachusetts player of the year can score anywhere on the court, whether in the post, off the dribble, or on catch-and-shoot looks. As of right now, the Friars have a really deep team loaded with tons of talent, and I have Harrell getting little to no minutes to start the year. I do not expect that to remain true by the end of the year, as I truly expect the freshman to earn himself meaningful, regular minutes. Richard Barron ’28 returns and adds wing depth as a capable shooter on the bench. Peteris Pinnis ’29, a 7’0” force from Latvia, is another center option, and a huge body that could see bench minutes if Erhunmwunse and Hargrove get in early foul trouble. Much of his game still looks somewhat raw, but as a freshman,with his size, he could certainly carve out a bench role and be an important player in future years. Nilivan Daniels ’28 returns after making last year’s team as a walk-on, and the always-smiling campus favorite’s presence adds a hard-working, energetic guard to the end of the rotation. Lastly, Jack Williams ’G26, a transfer from UCLA that managed their team, gives the team a veteran presence and smart basketball mind. 

These are only my predictions, and it remains to be seen how English will line his team up to start the year. The rotation will also change throughout the year, as many of the players have yet to see NCAA action and remain somewhat unknown. At any rate, this team is very athletic and will be fun to watch, and is genuinely poised to compete for a spot in the NCAA tournament in March.

by Pippa Jones ’28 and Sarah Wolff ’28 on October 9, 2025

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Providence College Investigates: NBA

Helpful

With the new roster cuts for the Boston Celtics, fans are speculating whether this will benefit or hurt the team. Some fans are outraged while others are excited to see how this controversial decision will play out. Although controversial, these roster cuts and new additions to the team will end up being successful. Miles Norris being waived has caused many to question coach Joe Mazzula’s intentions for the upcoming 2025–2026 season. Although these iffy trades bring instability within the team, rookie RJ Luis, a shooting guard and an alumni of St. John’s University, is a promising contribution to the team. Not only did Luis have a successful college career with being named the Big East Player of the Year and to the Big East first team, he was also a second team All American. Luis also was notable for making accolades for the St. John’s team, averaging 18.2 points per game. Another notable rookie is second round draft, 23-year-old Amari Williams. Williams was originally overseas from Nottingham, England and was recruited to go to the University of Kentucky. As a center, Williams averaged 10.9 points per game and proved to be a large part of the team’s success in the 2024–2025 season. He was the second player in SEC history to have at least 375 points. His 115 assists contributed to the team’s tie for the lead in assists. Before Kentucky, Williams played at the University of Drexel from 2020–2024. Even though these additions to the team create a new team dynamic, with the Celtics’ successful 2024 season, some new additions may create new opportunities for further success for the team. Also, these new rookies bring fresh legs and a youthful incoming group. With these trades, it will allow the team to continue to improve and highlight the strength of the team regardless of their new players. This strength is going to be seen through these new rookies as they develop with the team and prove their worth as players.

Harmful

As much as Boston fans, including myself, want to believe that the Celtics 2025–2026 team is built for another strong playoff run, the red flags indicating the opposite are hard to ignore. The most obvious problem for the Celtics is Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury. His recovery timeline is largely unknown, and without Tatum on the floor, the Celtics will face some struggles in their attempt to replicate the success of the past few years. Asking Jaylen Brown to shoulder the bulk of scoring will eventually wear him down. Beyond health, the Celtics are also facing a substantial amount of financial strain. Their prior spending essentially released them into heavy luxury tax obligations and fairly restricted flexibility within the roster. To ease the burden, the front office was forced to make some costly roster trims, such as trading Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. Unrelated to the luxury tax, yet a devastating departure for Boston, is Al Horford. This unbelievable veteran big man was not just a steady rotation player. He was a defensive beast, a leader in the locker room and on the court, and a mentor to everyone around him. His work ethic, consistent play, and inspiring sense of professionalism made him an invaluable piece to the Celtics. We will miss you, Big Al. In addition to all this, the Celtics are now playing under the limitations of the second apron rules. This means that their capacity to make significant trades is limited, which will make midseason movements more difficult. That also implies that if things start to spiral—more injuries, lack of cohesion, no team chemistry—it may impact Boston’s freedom to change course. There are too many unanswered questions surrounding the Celtics going into this season. It’s hard to see Boston breeze into the NBA Finals again given injuries, roster turnover, financial limitations, and Horford’s absence. As much as it pains me to say, Boston is in a period of trouble, and this year will most likely not result in a success story.