by Flagg Taylor ‘27 and Chris Sama ’27 on September 25, 2025

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Providence College Investigates: NBA

Nuggets: Flagg Taylor

For the past decade, the Western Conference has been stacked with all-star talent, and this year is no different. However, the team that had the best offseason didn’t go out and get stars; their front office added much-needed depth and versatility to both ends of the floor. The Denver Nuggets made smart moves to continue to build around their star, Nikola Jokić. Jokić has proven in 2023 that with the right players around him, he can dominate the league and bring championships to Denver. By no means were the Nuggets a bad team last season, but they were certainly not at the standard of their championship team in 2023. The Nuggets’ signings this summer completely refreshed their roster, making them stand out among last season’s successful teams. The Houston Rockets, who finished No. 2 in regular season standings last season, made a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. The Oklahoma City Thunder, the current defending champs, retained their squad.  I believe we will see another historical season from Jokić with all the roles around him filled, and therefore great success from the Denver Nuggets. 

The first key signing for the Nuggets was the acquisition of Bruce Brown, who was a member of the 2023 championship squad. Brown will bring back championship experience— he has guaranteed chemistry and acts as a great glue guy. He is a gritty defender, shoots the ball well, and is a smart player: the perfect guy to come off the bench to provide energy and experience. 

The most important moves this offseason for the Nuggets were two key trades. The first was a one-player swap with the Sacramento Kings, trading away Dario Šarič and acquiring Jonas Valančiūnas. Valančiūnas is an underrated veteran big and will be the perfect backup for Jokič, a role that was completely unfulfilled last season. Valančiūnas will allow Jokič to rest and still provide a big presence down low. The second trade—the Nuggets’ best acquisition—was getting Cameron Johnson from the Nets. The Nuggets gave up Michael Porter, Jr. and an unprotected first-round pick in 2032. Johnson will be an immediate upgrade from Porter. He can shoot the ball just as well, but provides a much bigger presence on defense. Johnson is one of the best “three and D” players in the NBA. 

The Nuggets’ offseason was extremely intentional, and they succeeded in building a highly versatile roster around Jokic while retaining key guys like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. It will be a tight race for first in the West between the Nuggets and the Thunder. 

Knicks: Chris Sama

The Knicks improved greatly this offseason and solved some key problems that could lead them to a championship. Their new head coach, Mike Brown, is a good replacement for the former head coach, Tom Thibodeau. Brown revived the Kings—after they faced 16 years with no playoff appearances—by developing their best players, like De’Aaron Fox, into stars and establishing a solid offense. Brown is best known for his defense with prior teams he coached, most notably leading the Cavaliers in 2007 to the finals against the Spurs. Although LeBron was the only star on this roster, Brown was able to get this team to the finals by emphasizing paint protection and prioritizing help defense. Brown fits perfectly with the Knicks, alongside stars like Karl Anthony Towns, who Brown could develop into a great rim protector. Although the Knicks have had relatively consistent depth, with key role players on the bench in the past seasons, such as Miles “Deuce” McBride and Josh Hart—who later became a starter—Thibodeau did not utilize his bench as much. Last season, the Knicks were last in both points off the bench, with 21.7 per game, and bench minutes, with 63.5 per game. Brown is known for developing players to have greater roles, which will give the starters more time to rest and be healthy for the remainder of the season, especially when it matters for the playoffs. Although Thibodeau was a great coach who brought the Knicks to the playoffs four of his five seasons coaching them, Brown has an established track record with playoff performance as a veteran coach, and he fits well into the Knicks’ culture. The Knicks also signed some key players this offseason, namely Jordan Clarkson, who has averaged roughly 17.1 points per game in the 2024-25 season. Veteran guard Malcom Brogdon provides depth for Jalen Brunson and Clarkson, and is a reliable playmaker, averaging 4.1 assists per game. In short, Brown becoming the new head coach of the Knicks, as well as picking up important role-players to give the Knicks even more depth, is why they have had the best offseason this year. The Knicks needed a more well-rounded team as they were overly relying on starters such as Brunson, who faced a series of minor injuries last season, and Mitchell Robinson, who injured his ankle. Less pressure on the starters, developing players into becoming better defenders, and a more consistent bench could definitely lead the Knicks to a championship.

by Izzy Mignardi ’27 on September 25, 2025

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Serious controversy was sparked on Sept. 14 after Travis Kelce and Tyquan Thornton wore “Free 4” shirts in solidarity with their teammate Rashee Rice. Rice was suspended for the first six games of the NFL season after he caused a high-speed car accident on the highway.

Back in March of 2024, Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was responsible for a six-car pileup on Route 75 in Dallas. Rice was driving over 115 miles per hour in his Lamborghini SUV, racing a Corvette. After excessive maneuvers and high speeds caused several crashes, Rice fled the scene on foot, neglecting to check on those injured, including a three and four-year-old. 

In July, he pled guilty to charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway, causing bodily injury. His sentence includes five years on probation, during which he will have to spend 30 days in Dallas jail. He also owes $115,000 in restitution, as well as $1 million in a civil settlement to victim Kathryn Kuykendall. Rice’s lawyers say he recognizes “that that was a stupid mistake,” and that going forward, he is going to better himself by volunteering with children and local pastors to educate people on the dangers of reckless driving.

Rice released a statement reading, “I deeply regret the actions I took that day and the harm they caused others. This was a moment of immense failure on my part.” 

Victims, lawyers, and football fans were outraged when Kelce and Thornton wore the warm-up shirts at last week’s game. Kuykendall’s lawyer, Marc Lenahan, said, “Rashee isn’t Nelson Mandela or Pepe Mujica, men who fought for what they believed in. There is evidence that Rashee was going 119 mph in a $1,749 per day Lambo rental that had pot and a pistol in it, on a highway on Easter weekend.” Lenahan continued by explaining that if his teammates really supported him, they would lend him the money to help pay his victims, who are still awaiting reparations. Additionally, others on social media are equally angered by the stunt. Sportswriter Ben Cummins described how Kelce should feel “embarrassed” for wearing a shirt that is so “illogical.” 

Chiefs Coach Andy Reid defended his players, saying, “I just think that those guys, they love the kid and want him to feel part of it in their own way. I really don’t think it’s anything more than that.” While the team clearly sees this as an effort to support their teammate, most others read it as disrespectful toward the victims and dismissive of his actions. They argue that had Rice not been a successful football player, the reaction would have been quite different.

The Chiefs are currently 0–2 without Rice. He will be eligible to play again on Oct.19.

by Pippa Jones ‘28 on September 25, 2025

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As we head into the second month of the Premier League, the predictions of this season’s victor begin to roll in. Reflecting on last season’s stats, it’s not shocking Liverpool is still at the top of the leaderboard, closely trailed by Arsenal. Liverpool kicks off the season with 15 points through an undefeated five-game start. Throughout these games, Liverpool netted 11 goals, only conceding five, with Mohamed Salah leading the pack with four goals. Right behind Liverpool is Arsenal, who has 10 points so far throughout their three wins, one draw, and one loss. Across their five games, Arsenal has scored 10 goals and only conceded one, with Victor Gyökeres netting three goals. Coming in No. 3 is Tottenham, who, having an unfortunate season last year, have begun to redeem themselves by being at the top of the board. Just trailing Arsenal is Tottenham with a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss, netting eight goals and conceding one throughout. 

Their top scorers are Brazilian superstar Richarlison and Brennan Johnson, each with two goals. The top scorer in the Premier League, unsurprisingly, is Erling Haaland from Manchester City. With a solid start to the season, the Norwegian has already netted five goals, though Manchester City has fallen to an unimpressive No. 8. 

A big upcoming game is the infamous derby game, showcasing No. 2 Arsenal and No. 3 Tottenham on Nov. 22 at Emirates Stadium, home of the Arsenal Gunners. On Nov. 9, Liverpool travels to Anfield Stadium to face Manchester City for another high-profile match. With Tottenham losing their star player Son Heung-Min, fans are wondering what players to watch out for. Mohammed Kudus from Ghana is a budding star who was acquired by Tottenham Hotspur for a £55 million, six-year contract from West Ham United. Most known for his attacking midfield play, Kudus has already recorded two assists in the match against Burnley, a promising replacement to fill the big shoes of Son. Liverpool’s star player, Mohamed Salah, is going on his ninth season at Liverpool. Known for his speed and his consistency of goal scoring, Salah looks to make as big an impact as ever. Salah is a favorite for the Golden Boot and Ballon d’Or awards already this season. Arsenal’s ace is Bukayo Saka, who has won Arsenal player of the season for two seasons in a row. The attacking midfielder has recently been sidelined due to an injury, though it was determined not to be as bad as fans feared. It is known that Saka did not play in the match against Manchester City on Sept. 21, as coach Mikel Arteta is taking a cautious approach to having his star player make a full recovery. 

The top teams to look out for are Manchester City, Chelsea, and Brighton. Manchester City finished last year in third and are predicted to make a comeback, despite falling behind so far. Currently sitting at No. 6 is Chelsea. Finishing last season at No. 4, Chelsea is a dependable team consistently succeeding within the league. Finally, Brighton finished at No. 8  last year but has gained some new impactful players, such as 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas.

by Emilia Farrell ‘28 on September 25, 2025

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Bo Martina ’27

Providence College’s field hockey team is off to a commanding start this season. The team currently sits at 4–3, with much thanks to the crafty work of midfielder Bo Martina ’27. Now at the beginning of her third collegiate season, Martina hails from Nieuw Vennep, Netherlands, where she developed her impressive field hockey talent. Martina appeared in all 17 games for the Friars last season and was in the starting lineup for 16 of those games. In her sophomore season, she also led the team in scoring with an impressive 18 total points on the season and a team-best eight assists. Additionally, Martina was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team for her competitive work last season.

Only five games into this season, and Martina is picking up right where she left off and making her mark for the Friars yet again. She recorded a goal apiece in back-to-back games against Bryant University and the University of New Hampshire at Lennon Family Field.

 On Sept. 12 against Bryant University, the field hockey team accomplished a  4–0 win. The first goal came from Martina in the third quarter after two intense scoreless quarters between the teams, jump-starting the victory for the Friars. The goal was assisted by fellow midfielder Macie Pennisi ’28. Martina went on to play all 60 minutes of the game in the midfield, anchoring the offense while also keeping Bryant’s offense at arm’s length.

Just two days later, the team faced the University of New Hampshire. Martina provided an unassisted goal to break the tie against the Wildcats that had occurred early in the game. She carried the ball about 30 yards and to the top of the circle, where she ripped an impressive back-handed shot past the Wildcat’s goalkeeper. Although the Friars ultimately fell in overtime, Martina’s sneaky individual play in the second quarter stood out and kept her team in the game until the very end.

With her demanding start, Martina continues to demonstrate why she is one of the top midfielders in the Big East and an integral piece of the Friars’ current success this season. Looking further ahead, Martina is likely to surpass last season’s offensive totals if she keeps at her current pace. Her presence in the Friars’ starting lineup will be critical as the team begins Big East Conference play this week, where competition will only grow and intensify. Providence College has its eyes set on a Big East Tournament spot, and Martina’s leadership will be a key factor in whether or not the team can make a deep postseason run. With two strong seasons already under her belt and another off to a fantastic start, Martina continues to prove why she is one of the team’s most valuable athletes. If her current trajectory is any indication, she could finish her junior season as one of the most accomplished players in recent Friars’ field hockey history.

by Dorothée Durivage ’28 on September 25, 2025

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Women’s Soccer

The Providence College women’s soccer team took on the Brown University Bears on Wednesday, Sept. 17. This match, which was played at home, resulted in a 4–0 loss for the Friars, bringing their record for the season to 3–2–1. Midfielder Colleen Casey ’26 led the Friars on the attack with two shots on goal, bringing her season total to eight. While four goals were let in, Ellie Thallman ’G26 also made four saves. The Friars will kick off their Big East season on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at St. John’s University.

Volleyball

The Providence College volleyball team played three games this weekend at the Pelican Invitational. The Friars started their weekend off strong with a  3–0 win against Alabama State on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 19 at Tulane University. That night, they played another game against Tulane, which the Friars lost 3–1. The Pelican Invitational wrapped up for the Friars on Saturday at New Orleans University where they won 3–1. After the past three games, Providence College volleyball’s record stands at 9–4. Big East play starts next weekend against Marquette and DePaul on the road.

Men’s Soccer

The Providence College men’s soccer team traveled to Seton Hall University for their Big East conference opener on Friday, Sept. 19. The Friars lost the match 2–0 which brings their record to 2–5–0 for the season and to 0–1–0 for the Big East. With five shots on goal, Bruno Rosa ’26 led the Friars on Friday, contributing to all but one of the scoring attempts for the team. Ryan Carney ’29, Providence’s goalkeeper, recorded three saves. The Friars are set to be on the road to head off against Brown University on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Field Hockey

The Providence College field hockey team took on Old Dominion University on Friday, Sept. 19 for their Big East opener. The Friars lost the game 2–0 which brought their record to 4–2 so far this season and 0–1 in the Big East. Providence outshot the Old Dominion Monarchs in the first quarter with two shots on goal, but the Monarchs had leveled the playing field by halftime, bringing the shots to 3–3. Ari Ftorek ’29 had two shots on goal for the games, leading Providence College for the match. The Friars’ next match is at home on Sept. 21 against American University.

by Dorothée Durivage ’28 on September 18, 2025

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Providence College Investigates: MLB

DOGERS: Izzy Mignardi

Since the preseason, the Dodgers have been favored to win this year’s World Series. Throughout the regular season and as we enter the postseason, the odds have changed, but sportsbook sites still list the Dodgers as having the best odds. Other contenders include the Yankees, Phillies, and Brewers, but I’m still taking the Dodgers, even though as a Yankees fan that pains me to admit. The Dodgers started the season strong with eight undefeated games. Once July hit, however, they really began to suffer, losing 32 of their 54 games in July, August, and September. This slump caused many people to be skeptical, and most remain that way.  But, in my opinion, it’s safe to say they rebounded well and have started to thrive again. They stand at No. 1 in the NL West. 

They do still face considerable challenges, though. For starters, it’s pretty difficult to win back-to-back championships. The last team to do so was the Yankees from 1998–2000, but since then, it has yet to be done again. As far as their roster goes, the Dodgers have used over 30 different pitchers this season, mostly due to injury. The bullpen isn’t great right now, either. If you look at teams like the Phillies, who have one of the best starting pitching rotations in baseball, or the Brewers, who have the best record, you might be inclined to take them as your pick. So why the Dodgers? The answer is simple: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. Same reason as last year; they have a lot of players who play exceptional baseball. It’s why, even with their slump, they still hold the one seed in the NL West and are on track to win their 12th NL West title in 13 years. When these players are playing their best, it’s very difficult to beat them. Although they aren’t necessarily as dominant as last year’s team, the odds remain in their favor as October rolls around.

BREWERS: Dorothée Durivage

The Milwaukee Brewers are highly likely to win the 2025 World Series. With the most wins in the MLB so far this season, the Brewers are on track to surpass their regular season scoring from 2024, where they ended with 93 wins and 69 losses. Their current record stands at 91 wins and 59 losses, placing them first in the National League Central. They achieved this strong record while being the first team this season to pass the 90-win threshold, putting them ahead of the pack and setting a good precedent for their ability to win this season’s World Series. The Brewers have the best winning percentage in the Majors, and they’re on track to break the all-time franchise wins record of 116 wins held by the 2001 Mariners and the 1906 Chicago Cubs.The Brewers clinched a wild-card spot this season, being the first team to get their postseason spot on Sept. 13. This marks their seventh postseason appearance in eight years, but this year could be different. The Brewers’ roster has seen a lot of changes this season, with pitcher Quinn Priester coming to Milwaukee from Boston arguably being the most impactful trade this season. Priester has pitched in 18 straight winning games this season, helping the team reach its 91 wins. Other important players who would help the Brewers win this year’s World Series are the three MLB all-stars on the team. Three pitchers were added to the roster this season, with Freddy Peralta and Jacob Misiorowski as starting pitchers and Trevor Megill as a relief pitcher. Starting 13 games this season, Jacob Misiorowski has pitched 60 innings so far, leading the Brewers to five wins.

Misiorowski’s fastball velocity of 99.2 mph puts him in the 98th percentile for the Majors, which is impressive, seeing as he is not Milwaukee’s starting pitcher. This could prove to be important in the Brewers’ chase to win the Commissioner’s Trophy. 

by Emilia Farrall ‘28 on September 18, 2025

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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.

by Elsie Husted ’28 on September 18, 2025

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The Providence College women’s soccer team’s 2025–26 season is underway. Last year, the Friars had a disappointing end to their season, narrowly missing out on the playoffs with a record of 6–9–2. Although the Friars had a less than satisfying season, several players found their stride and will make key contributions this year. Additionally, the team has added 11 new players in the offseason: nine freshmen and two transfer students. The Friars are focused on winning more games and clinching a postseason spot.  

The Friars’ hard work has shown through in the first games of the season. Currently, the Friars have a winning record of 3–1–1. With three wins already under their belt, the Friars are ranked No. 1 in the Big East Soccer standings. The Friars can build on this early success, keep the momentum going, and keep the wins coming.  

In the first game of the season, Providence beat Army University at Chapey Field, 1–0. Lily Gibbs ’29 scored her first career goal to clinch the game. On Aug. 24, the Friars beat Northeastern University 2–1 in Boston. The following week, the Friars fell to the University of Rhode Island with a score of 2–0. Later, the Friars got back in the win column at home against Sacred Heart University, 1–0. Most recently, Providence tied Cornell University this past week, 1-–1. Several PC players have already been recognized by the Big East for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements this season.   

Stephanie Schoeley ’28 was named Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 1–7. Schoeley came off a successful summer, winning the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football U20 Championship with Team Canada. She kept the momentum going when she helped Providence’s defense hold Sacred Heart to 0 goals. Last year, Schoeley started all 17 games for Providence and has logged 445 minutes so far this season. There’s no doubt that Schoeley will be a key player for the Friars this season.  

Isabella Kloock-Jensen ’29 was named to the Big East Honor Roll for Player of the Week. From Denmark, Kloock-Jenson was a key player in the U16 National League, scoring 21 goals in just 16 games. Kloock-Jenson scored her first goal for Providence in the last minute against Sacred Heart University. Make sure you get down to Chapey Field to help cheer on the Friars to victory. Providence will take on Big East rival, St. John’s University, on Wednesday, Sept. 24. On Saturday, the Friars will travel to New York to play Butler University, who currently holds a record of 3–1–3. Finally, the Friars will kick off October by playing the University of Connecticut on the first of the month. It is shaping up to be another thrilling soccer season in Friartown.

by Flagg Taylor ’27 on September 18, 2025

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Athlete of the Week

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Roger McQueen ’29

On June 27, Roger McQueen ’29 was drafted tenth overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL draft. Entering his freshman season for the Friars, McQueen is the first top 10 draft pick in the program’s history, and only the sixth first round pick in program history. Standing tall at six feet six inches, McQueen will play center and wear the number 29. Weighing just around 200 pounds, his size makes this righty center an imposing and dominant presence on the ice. McQueen joins the Friars among many other freshman and transfer signings after an impressive recruiting offseason by coach Nate Leaman and his staff. However, McQueen stands out from the rest as a historic signing for Leaman and Friars hockey. 

McQueen was born on Oct. 2, 2006 and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a town in central Canada. McQueen was raised in a hockey household and looked up to his father, Scott McQueen, a former hockey player. At the age of two, McQueen began skating at the local river rink in his hometown. At the age of four he picked up a hockey stick and began playing at the river rink, honing his skills to eventually become an NHL star. 

At an impressively young age of 15, McQueen signed with the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2021. The Wheat Kings play in the Western Hockey League, a junior hockey league with teams based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League, the highest level of junior hockey in Canada. McQueen’s father Scott also played in the WHL. McQueen’s admiration for his father made playing in the WHL one of his first major goals. During McQueen’s rookie season in 2022–23, he scored four goals and 10 assists. McQueen’s breakout was the 2023–24 season where he recorded a staggering 21 goals and 30 assists in 53 regular season games. After an injury at the tail end of the season, he returned to lead his team in scoring in the playoffs with four goals. In McQueen’s last season with the Wheat Kings (2024–25), he scored four goals in the debut of the season. He continued on with 11 goals and assists before having a season ending injury after only eight games. 

McQueen has been selected to represent Canadian Hockey on multiple occasions. McQueen won a gold medal in the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he scored four goals and recorded three assists in five games. McQueen also won gold with Canada a second time, representing his country in the 2024 U18 world championship. McQueen’s stellar young career was guaranteed to be noticed by coaches in all NCAA division one and NHL locker rooms. McQueen was slotted in at No. 8 in the pre-NHL draft NHL Central Scouting final rankings. McQueen is scary fast on skates while standing at 6’6” with an enormous wingspan. His impressive physical attributes combined with his passing and playmaking allow him to control the game with ease and composure. He is an electric talent to watch. 

Every student at the school should be excited to see McQueen play hockey this season. He will join the team with former Wheat Kings teammate, Quinn Mantei ’29. McQueen also played with Hudson Malinoski ’27 in the 2021–22 season with the Saskatoon Blazers. The hype around McQueen is well deserved and he will make an immediate impact on the roster and on the ice. Although McQueen is expected to sign with the Anaheim Ducks directly following the 2025–26 season, in one year’s time McQueen could very well leave his mark as one of the greatest Friars to play hockey at Providence College.

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on September 18, 2025

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After losing last season’s starting guards Bensley Joseph ’25 and Jayden Pierre to graduation and the transfer portal, head coach Kim English and his staff faced a desperate need to fill the glaring void at the guard position during the offseason. They answered that call, filling the positions with the most exciting transfer portal acquisitions coming to Friartown this season: Jason Edwards ’26G from Vanderbilt and Jaylin Sellers ’26G from the University of Central Florida. Both of these players are gifted scorers and high-intensity players, giving Friars fans good reason to be excited about watching them on the court together this season.

Edwards is a 6’1” guard that possesses a flashy handle on the ball, providing the Friars with a dynamic scoring threat. He began his collegiate career playing at a junior college before excelling in his sophomore season at the University of North Texas, earning him a huge opportunity to play SEC basketball at Vanderbilt. During his sole season with the Commodores, Edwards averaged 17.0 points per game, shot 35.3 percent from three-point range, and led his team to an NCAA Tournament appearance as a 10 seed. Friars fans can expect a fearless, skilled scorer, able to shoot off the dribble at an impressive clip and attack the rim. Edwards also thrives scoring as a pick and roll ball-handler, and center Oswin Erhunmwunse’s ’27 standout ability to catch lobs after coming off screens could make the pick and roll duo a major offensive threat. A critique of Edwards’ game at Vanderbilt was aimed at his decision-making and shot selection, sometimes electing to take contested shots, and posting more turnovers per game than assists (1.6 and 1.3, respectively). Look for Edwards to be more selfless this year: the Friars are equipped with more scorers and perimeter shooters that should be able to take some of the weight off his shoulders and give him passing outlets. 

Edwards’ backcourt counterpart, Sellers, is a 6’5” guard out of University of Central Florida. Friars fans hope Sellers can return to the form he showed before he missed virtually his entire senior year due to a back injury. With great size and eye-catching athleticism, the Friars are getting a plus defender in Sellers. His striking vertical allows him to finish at the rim effectively and lay down highlight dunks, making him a defensive nightmare in transition. One glaring flaw in Sellers’ game was his inability to shoot from three efficiently, posting only a 29.7 three point percentage in his junior year at UCF. Sellers almost seemed hesitant to shoot from deep as the season progressed and struggled mightily on his attempts off the dribble. Off the catch, however, Sellers was markedly more efficient. He also shot 44.4 percent and 45 percent in his freshman and sophomore years at Ball State and  UCF, respectively. Friars fans can hope Coach English’s offensive sets use Sellers in a manner more suitable to his skillset, giving him open catch-and-shoot looks from behind the arc and forcing him to attack the rim more.

Edwards’ and Sellers’ potential as a backcourt duo is cause for genuine excitement in Providence. Last year’s team lacked a true number one scoring threat—there was no go-to, aggressive, creative scorer to count on in clutch situations. Edwards has every capability to fill that role for the Friars this season. Sellers could even rival Edwards as that number one option should he reach his ceiling and improve his shooting efficiency, but at a minimum should give this team a legitimate secondary option. Friartown: can these two lead this team back to the Big Dance?