Could Will McNair Jr. be the answer as the backup big?

It’s no secret that Providence has been looking to fill its final scholarship with a big man to back up George Mason transfer Josh Oduro over the latter part of the spring. The search began with Wyoming transfer Graham Ike, who saw greater opportunity at Gonzaga, and later included Kansas transfer Zach Clemence and Overtime Elite shot blocker Somto Cyril.

With Oduro (the former Atlantic-10 scoring champ) firmly entrenched as the starting five, the Friar staff is challenged with finding a center willing to play in a role similar to that of Clifton Moore a season ago — spelling the starting center and stepping into bigger minutes if foul trouble or injury occurs.

The search has turned to another big man out of Philadelphia (both Moore and last year’s starter Ed Croswell are from Philly) in Will McNair Jr. McNair would provide something this team currently lacks: a massive body to throw at the likes of UConn’s Donovan Clingan. McNair was listed last year as 6’11, 265 pounds at Mississippi State.

McNair has actually played against Connecticut previously. He was part of the New Mexico State team that knocked off the Huskies in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. He spent three seasons at New Mexico State before transferring to Mississippi State last season, following a coaching change.

His most productive season came in 2021-22, when he averaged 6.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 34 games (27 starts). He shot 55% from the field in his three seasons in the WAC. With Mississippi State last year McNair averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

During the 2021-22 season, McNair had a few standout games, including 12 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a win over Indiana State, 10/8 at Washington State (another win), 14/14 at Seattle, and six points and seven rebounds in the second round of the NCAA Tournament — a 53-48 loss to Arkansas.

McNair also visited George Washington this week.