Friar Basketball Newsletter: Providence Gets a Commitment from High-Upside Big Man Drew Fielder
Ed Cooley and his staff received terrific news recently, as center Drew Fielder committed to Providence after visiting this weekend. Fielder officially announced his commitment via Twitter on Monday night.
So, what is PC getting in the class of 2023 big man? Fielder was one of the biggest stock-risers in the country this summer after shining on the Under Armour Association circuit. The Idaho native (who is wrapping up his high school career at Southern California Academy playing alongside fellow Providence commit Garwey Dual) is a true inside-out threat. Fielder has range that extends a few feet beyond the 3-point arc, plays with poise in the post, and received rave reviews for his non-stop motor throughout this summer.
He visited USC earlier this month, and was scheduled to see Syracuse this week, but made the call after Cooley visited him in California last week and he visited PC’s campus over the weekend. Fielder will play for one of the best prep teams in the country this season — a school that featured a handful of top 100 players in the class of 2022 last year.
You can read more about Fielder’s commitment, and how Providence has seized momentum on the recruiting trail following their 27-win campaign last season.
We also have highlights from when he won MVP in a big-time matchup on ESPN this past July, as well as a Closer Look article on him.
Also included in this week’s newsletter is a preview of Seton Hall, and how Shaheen Holloway looks to be the perfect replacement for Kevin Willard (who took the Maryland job last spring). Holloway was a 1996 McDonalds All American, playing alongside the likes of Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O’Neal, and led St. Peter’s to the most unlikely Elite Eight appearance in NCAA Tournament history last March. Willard elevated the Seton Hall program, now we will see if Holloway can lead them to more success in March. Holloway looks like a home-run hire for the Hall.
It’s been a while since we posted video of La Salle-to-Providence transfer Clifton Moore, so here he is going for 17 points and 10 rebounds against one of the best defenders in the country last season. Moore’s size and skill level will surprise some people in the Big East next year. He’ll likely be the best rim protector Providence has had since Carson Desrosiers graduated in 2015.
Subscribers can read our News and Notes column, which looks into this season’s front and backcourt rotations (with potential wild cards in Corey Floyd Jr. and Alyn Breed), Ed Croswell’s effectiveness in the screen and roll, Providence’s success from beyond the 3-point arc last season, and more.
Cooley and the Friars have all sorts of momentum going for them right now, and we’re so excited to cover all facets of the program this season!