Class is in Session – The Kim English Era Has Officially Begun
Billy Ricci returns with his latest on all the comings and goings in Friartown
Friar Family, it brings me joy to see a calmness finally coming over our fan base, after what has probably been the most roller coaster off-season for any Providence team in history. Before Kim English was hired and Devin Carter and Bryce Hopkins announced their returns, it was like we had hit some unexpected turbulence up in the skies. These short, but stressful, times have reminded us though that without turbulence, great pilots cannot be made.
Steve Napolillo has been our pilot throughout our brief descent and our ascension in stabilizing the program, and it cannot be overstated how his quick decisions have steadied the plane that has been PC basketball in recent years – always looking upward. I personally can speak the praises of Steve Nap, as he has been a friend and mentor to me for some years now, but the proof has been in the pudding. At the introductory press conferences for Coach Batth and Coach English, you could feel neither team was interested in taking a step back anytime soon.
And that is also always largely due to the fans. What a turnout for the press conference. You could see the genuine shock on Coach Batth’s face that read “This place is even more passionate about basketball than I could have imagined.” The same with Coach English, but, in my opinion, Coach Batth kind of stole the show. She was sentimental, authentic, relatable and downright hilarious. Talking about showing up to her player’s houses asking “who’s cooking dinner?” or wearing “Extra high heels so when I’m shaking hands with Geno he’s looking up.”
English, on the other hand, to me seemed unfazed by the moment. Like he would be the perfect guy to take over a program led by a hometown hero for 12 years…now that’s divine providence if you ask me… But seriously, there is something so polished about Kim English, like he wakes up in the morning in a full suit with an all-business mentality. You can tell in the couple chances we’ve gotten to listen to him, that he is determined and steady within himself. I thought it was interesting how in the press conference he brought up his NBA career, and that he had lost the fire once he made it to the league. I think his story and his own personal rise to being a Big East Coach at such a young age, is no doubt why many from last year have decided to stay a Friar.
This includes the monster decisions from Devin Carter and Bryce Hopkins to remain Friars. When Kevin and I sat down with Carson Desrosiers and Ted Bancroft for our most recent episode of the Friar Podcast, I thought Ted nailed it when he said their decisions would be about the love for teammates and running it back together. Carter and Hopkins are not your typical college basketball players, and it is obvious how both of them have embraced PC basketball outside of Coach Cooley.
In the ultimate domino effect, Jayden Pierre has returned back to the Friars from the portal and Quante Berry is rumored to be on the move, after being one of the first to announce he would be staying. I don’t really think that to be a coincidence, but I wish the best to Berry if he decides to leave the PC program. We interviewed him when he was still at Winston-Salem Christian, and he seemed to be a great kid. But back to Pierre quickly, I am intrigued to see with more volume and playing time what his ceiling can be. He has the NY/NJ point guard intangibles you simply can’t teach.
Speaking of point guards, apparently the Friars are in the top four to land Australian and Cal Baptist transfer Taran Armstrong. I’ll be honest and say like many I had no idea who Armstrong was prior to watching some highlight videos, but man, the passing looks to be showtime-esque mixed with elite floor vision. With Ryan Nembhard on the move and Pierre returning, one would think Creighton might be in the lead, but crazier things have certainly happened.
I personally am still excited at the prospect of Graham Ike becoming a Friar, and not just because he and Carter seem to be close. This off-season’s biggest need has been, and still is, front court depth with Pierre back. Ike is just downright productive, and would form a terrific center duo with George Mason transfer Josh Oduro. The thought of having two 6’9 guys who can go for 20 and 10 any given night - now that’s Big East Basketball.
To conclude our first day of English class, I wanted to first highlight the official announcement of Dennis Felton as an assistant. What a resume he has, including spending some time here in Friartown back when I was born in 1992 and a Big East title in 1994! Felton’s ties to Dickey Simpkins, Eric Williams and Austin Croshere are comforting from an alumni perspective, but man, this guy has been everywhere. Including being the head coach at Georgia, a pro scout for the Suns, and Director of Player Personnel with the Spurs. Losing Jeff Battle, specifically, I thought was one of the more underrated storylines in the Ed Cooley departure, but I am thrilled to have Dennis Felton back at PC.
Lastly, seeing the team working out with the caption “there is no off season” a couple of days ago made me smile, on top of Ed Croswell getting some work in with the guys even as he departs for his next step in his basketball journey. Coach English jumping in drills – it seems were finally coming out of the fog that has been persistent through March and early April, just in time to potentially add some players out of the portal. #Mindset