BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: PROVIDENCE

September 26, 2007


VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Bilal Dixon, 6'8 F/C from Queen of Peace High in North Arlington (NJ)


Tim welsh and his staff hope once again to strike gold underneath the recruiting radar as PC Lands 6'8 Forward (Providence Journal) Bilal Dixon out of New Jersey as part of their 2008 recruiting class.


Projected 2008-2009 Roster


Seniors: Sharaud Curry (PG), Weyimi Efejuku (G), Geoff McDermott (G/F), Jonathon Kale (PF), Jeff Xavier (G), Randall Hanke (C)
Juniors: Dwain Williams (G), Brian McKenzie (SG), Ray Hall (C)
Sophomres: Jamine Peterson (F), Marshon Brooks (G), Alex Kellogg (F)
Freshmen: Bilal Dixon (F)




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Bilal Dixon verbally committed to the Providence College Friars yesterday, accepting the lone available scholarship the Friars have to offer for the 2008 recruiting class. Dixon, a 6'8, 220-pound forward from Queen of Peace High in North Arlington, N.J., had interest (although no offers yet) from St. John's, UNLV, Siena and others. The Friars were the lone school to make him an aggressive priority in their search for frontcourt help in the class. Dixon has a solid build and good athleticism for a post player. He spent his first two years of high school at St. Anthony's in New Jersey, but never played varsity ball. Last season he transferred to Queen of Peace and averaged 13 pts and 14 rebounds a game.

The PC staff targeted frontcourt players all summer and seemed to focus on Dixon and two other New Jersey products, Ryan Brooks and Dominique Rutledge. Providence saw Dixon this summer competing with the Juice All-Stars and stayed on him until the commitment was received yesterday.

With their lone scholarship for 2008 spoken for, the Friars can aggressively begin courting players for the 2009 class, which is the most important class in the Welsh era to date. Recently, it always seemed that PC was scrambling in the late signing period to fill holes because of roster attrition and early signing period misses on their top targets. Now, the Friars can get out ahead of the curve and begin recruiting for their future.

Sharaud Curry (PG), Weyimi Efejuku (G), Geoff McDermott (G/F), Jonathon Kale (PF), Jeff Xavier (G) and Randall Hanke (C) will all be graduating after the 2008-2009 season leaving the Friars with at least six scholarships available for the 2009 incoming class. The success of the 2007-2008 season may play an important role on the interest the Friars receive from high school prospects to fill those openings. It is a big year on the court for Tim welsh with an experienced and talented squad returning and if he can guide them into the NCAA Tournament the recruiting lift will be well needed to repalce that talent after the following season. The Friars look to be set-up for a strong two-year run, getting off on the right foot this season is imperative for Tim Welsh and his future at Providence.

The only names in the class of 2009 to this date that we have been exposed to in regards to Providence is Northfield Mt. Hermon shooting guard Mike Marra and Stamford (CT) Trinity Catholic's Tevin Baskin, an athletic combo forward. Many more names will certainly come known as the year progresses.