BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: PROVIDENCE

June 14, 2009


VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Gerard Coleman, 6-foot-4 SG from Tilton (NH) School

Providence picks up a big commitment for the class of 2010 by landing one of their top targets and Keno Davis continues to plow ahead in putting his stamp on the PC program. PC, Davis Score Major Recruiting Victory by Landing Tilton's Gerard Coleman this weekend.



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)


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

-
Read More...Click 'Read More' Below!!!

-


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 over the weekend.

“I was all set with Providence and didn’t want to risk losing my spot with them,” Coleman told the Providence Journal Sunday night. “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 Coleman's commitment, the Friars get 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 a couple more players with their remaining two open scholarships. Along with Coleman, the other 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 next month and has seen his stock rise this spring. Will Regan of the City Rocks AAU program and Buffalo-Nichols is a big man PC is in the mix with as well.

At the small forward position, Fuquan Edwin is a player the Friars have been following often. Edwin is a standout with Paterson (NJ) Catholic and the NJ Playaz. Reportedly, Edwin will likely decide between Seton Hall and PC and could do so by July as he plans to visit both schools before the end of June. The Friars have a great need for a player of his position in the class of 2010.

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.

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.

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 2012 prospect Alex Murphy did so as well. It certainly sounds like Keno Davis and his staff are moving in the right direction quickly on the recruiting front.

Read more!