BIG EAST RECRUITING REPORT: PROVIDENCE

July 10, 2009


VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Ron Giplaye, 6-foot-7 power forward from Notre Dame Prep

Providence picks up their second big commitment for the class of 2010 by landing under-appreciated, but very good Ron Giplaye out of Notre Dame Prep. In Giplaye Friars Land Another Prized Recruit from Mass. (Providence Journal), joining AAU teammate Gerard Coleman, who committed last month.



Projected 2009-2010 Roster


Seniors: Sharaud Curry (PG), Brian McKenzie (SG)
Juniors: Jamine Peterson* (F), Marshon Brooks (G), Kyle Wright (G/F), Russ Permenter (PF)
Sophomres: Bilal Dixon** (F)
Freshmen: Duke Mondy (G), Kadeem Batts (PF), James Still (C), Johhnie Lacy (PG), Vincent Council (PG)
2010 Commitments: Gerard Coleman (SG), Ron Giplaye (PF)


Notes:
* Expected to redshirt the 2008-2009 season which would place him as a sophomore on the 2009-2010 roster

** possible 2008-2009 redshirt which would place his as a freshman on the 2009-2010 roster

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Over the last few months, it certainly looked like the Providence staff had made Tilton (NH) School and BABC standout Gerard Coleman their highest perimeter priority in the class of 2010. That fact was also not lost on Coleman as he made a verbal commitment to the Friars in the middle of last month.

Now, with the July Open Evaluation period underway, the Friars have added their second verbal commitment for the class of 2010 as Coleman's BABC teammate Ron Giplaye has made a verbal pledge to Keno Davis and his hard-working staff.

Giplaye is a physically strong and tough 6-foot-7 power forward that will do the dirty work in the paint and on the boards. Giplaye is a native of Lowell (MA) and moved to Delaware, but has returned to the region, attending Notre Dame Prep and playing with the BABC AAU program. Giplaye is accurately compared to another former Massachusetts native that starred in the Big East.

"I had Jeff Adrien and Ron's that type of player. He makes people's lives miserable," said Ryan Hurd, Giplaye's coach at Notre Dame Prep, to the Providence Journal. "He's strong; he's like a man playing with boys. Guys back down from him."

While next season might have some growing pains in store for the Friars, Keno Davis certainly seems to have them pointed in the right direction with his efforts on the recruiting trail. The 2009 class looks to have replenished the roster and the talent is starting to assemble with the 2010 class and Coleman might have been the spark needed to get things started.

“I was all set with Providence and didn’t want to risk losing my spot with them,” Coleman told the Providence Journal last month. “I like the way they play. There’s a lot of good times to come at Providence.”

The 6-foot-3 guard is a native of Mattapan (MA), near Boston, and chose to commit PC while also considering UConn and Clemson in the recruiting process.

With the PC backcourt scheduled to graduate Brian McKenzie and Sharaud Curry after the 2009-2010 season, Coleman's ability to score the basketball will be a needed trait. Coleman, right now, is a better athlete than pure basketball shooter and gets his points attacking off the dribble and in transition. He should find a very good fit in the PC system under Keno Davis as the Friars will surround him with quality shooters that will spread the floor and allow him to attack off the dribble.

With commitments from Coleman and Giplaye, the Friars got a nice start for the class of 2010. With assistant Pat Skerry combing the New England prep and high school ranks for talent, the Friars are in very good shape to land the cherry to top off the class the right way with their last open scholarship. The current top target has been Carson Desrosiers, a 6-foot-10 big man from Lawrence (MA) Central Catholic. With his ability to handle, pass and shoot from the perimeter, as well as finish inside, Desrosiers looks to be ideal for the PC system under Davis. The competition will not be asy as Syracuse, Marquette, Purdue, Arizona State and others have offered and recruited him heavily and now Florida looks to be getting involved as well.

Another big man from New England with an outside touch the Friars are monitoring is Tyler Olander. The 6-foot-9 lefty has earned an invite to the Reebok All-American camp and has seen his stock rise this spring, with UConn reportedly offering as well.

Brentwood High School on Long Island is the home of J.J. Moore and the class of 2010 small forward is one of the fastest risers in the class while playing with the NY Panthers this spring. With many in the Big East interested, Moore expressed a desire to visit PC in the near future while playing at the Rumble in the Bronx.

Another talented small forward with a variety of skills is NY Gaucho and Rice HS small forward Shane Southwell. The Friars have offered him a scholarship and many in the Big East are very intrigued by the long and athletic 6-foot-5 Southwell. Shaq Thomas has also been on the PC radar for 2010 as a small forward, however, the nephew of former Villanova star Tim Thomas indicated to NBE at the Rumble in the Bronx he will reclass into the class of 2011 this fall.

More of a power forward than a small forward, Ashton Pankey also claimed a PC offer at the recent Rumble in the Bronx. Ryan Rhoomes of Cardoza is also on the radar.

With the signings of Johnny Lacy and Vincent Council in the class of 2009, point guard is not a priority for the Friars in 2010, however, Tyreek Duren and Russ Smith have both seen PC bring some attention on the trail their way as well as Denzel Brito. However, with their last scholarship likely going to a frontcourt player, it seems they are no longer top targets of the PC staff

The interest from players in the class of 2010 in the Friars seemed strong at the Rumble in the Bronx, but also 2011 prospect Majok Majok mentioned PC and at the recent Hoop Group Elite team camp, Penn Wood forward Aaron Brown and St. Raymond's big man Joey De La Rosa also have mentioned the Friars as early possibilities in the class of 2011 and 2012 prospect Alex Murphy did so as well. Others in 2011 listing the Friars recently include NYC guards Davontay Grace and Mike Taylor, Sidiki Johnson, a teammate of De La Rosa's at St. Ray's, Myles Davis of St. Peter's Prep and NJ forward Jerelle Reischel.

It certainly sounds like Keno Davis and his staff are moving in the right direction quickly on the recruiting front.