Taking Stock of the Friar Frontcourt

Bill Ricci is back with his latest, this time taking a look at some of the more intriguing frontcourt players on the 2024-25 Friars.

Friar Family,

I think I speak for all of us when I say it is starting to feel like the season is upon us. With Late Night Madness coming up on October 19 and Providence’s exhibition against UMass a month away, we are about to get back the anticipation and excitement for game day that only comes during Friar basketball season. As you hopefully saw, I put out my preview of PC’s guards in late August, and now I am back with a first look at some critical members of the Friar frontcourt.

First Up… Christ Essandoko:

If you haven’t listened to our podcast with Christ Essandoko, I would recommend listening before you read this preview, as Kevin and I had a great conversation with Essandoko where he talked about the importance of conditioning, his relationship with the other Friar bigs, and how the PC coaching staff was the first to reach out when he entered the portal. 

Let’s be real, Friartown, it doesn’t take an experienced analyst to break down that Christ is a unique player. At 7 feet, 290 pounds, with the ability to stretch the floor and play down low, he has the chance to be one of the more interesting players poised for a breakout his redshirt sophomore season. At 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in 21 minutes a game as a freshman, I think a 10 ppg and seven rpg season from Essandoko should be somewhere around the floor of what we should expect. 

Essandoko mentioned how the conditioning at Providence this summer has been different and has pushed him — which is exactly what he said he needed going into his first year with the Friars. With some increased stamina and ability to go later into games, he is also very excited to play in Kim English’s “five out” style. He mentioned during our discussion that some coaches claim to let fours and fives come out and shoot threes, or play with the ball in their hands from the elbow extended, and then during games those same coaches only let the bigs play around the paint. Essandoko is confident that English and his staff will let him continue to explore his game from around the three-point lane, much like they did with Josh Oduro. 

Some areas I am looking forward to seeing Essandoko improve are, first, his free throw percentage. At 65% as a freshman, and with some free throw woes from the Friars last year, hitting at around 75% from the line would make a big difference, as I am sure we will see him featured in the post at points each game.

Another thing I’ll be looking out for is offensive rebounding. If Essandoko can hover around, or over, two offensive rebounds a game, that means he should be looking at close to 7-8 rebounds per game overall. Having Oswin Erhunmwunse and Anton Bonke behind him will certainly help the Friars’ rebounding, especially when compared to PC’s back-up four and five situation last year.

Lastly, defensively I am interested to see what some added conditioning and the experience of playing a year of college basketball can do for Essandoko. At just over a block a game last year in 21 minutes, I am interested to see what he brings to the table against Big East bigs. In the meantime, we will leave the “Block Party” moments up to Oswin…

Eli DeLaurier:

DeLaurier, ladies and gentlemen, is a man of mystery. Considering Providence wouldn’t have him on the roster last year if Will McNair Jr. had not left the program, on top of his offers in 2022 from West Virginia, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Mississippi State, has me thinking there is more to his game than what we briefly saw in his redshirt freshman year. 

It seems like the staff is impressed with how much of a gamer DeLaurier is in practice. Considering the depth we are forecasting for this year, to have a guy like DeLaurier who can see playing time while growing into a larger role could be a great fit for this team. I am most interested to see what he can produce from behind the arc, as with his more slender frame, he seems best suited as a four who can space and pass from the perimeter. With Bryce Hopkins’ timetable still uncertain, one has to believe DeLaurier will be getting some early looks off the bench behind Jabri Abdur-Rahim.

Obviously, any sort of stats projection for this year could be too much of an expectation, but there is potential for DeLaurier to slot in as a four who makes gritty plays off the bench as a redshirt freshman. Whether offensive rebounds, diving for loose balls or making the right pass or play, at least to start the season it seems DeLaurier will see some time in the rotation.

One thing I wouldn’t underestimate is the level of competition DeLaurier has played with, and won with, during his high school career. That will undoubtedly help him when he takes the floor for the Friars in whatever his role will be in 2024-25.

Ryan Mela:

When it comes to Ryan Mela, I think underappreciated may be a better way to describe the production and achievements Mela walks into his freshman year at PC with. If you have watched any highlights of him, you are maybe surprised like I was at how fluid he is around the rim. His body control going from right to left to finish, and his ability to take contact and stay strong are both very impressive when watching in action. It’s almost like you have to see it to believe it; the finishes around the basket look almost definite when Mela is able to get in position.

He also has a knack for getting out in passing lanes and creating a fast break from steals out on the perimeter. I think it’s because Mela is deceptively long and athletic. He plays like a guard, but stands 6’6. Unfortunately, we didn’t see much of Mela in practice this summer due to a back injury, so it’s hard to project what his role will be. Even though I don’t expect Mela to play extended minutes in 2024-25, it doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the guys I am most excited to see suit up. From a slashing, passing and steals perspective, I think Mela can make an impact when the opportunity presents itself. 

Bryce Hopkins:

It will undoubtedly be one of the most emotional introductions in Friar history when Bryce Hopkins takes the floor for the Friars in 2024-25. Even though Hopkins struggled from three last year, what he provided on the defensive end under English showed signs he was about to become the all-around player we all know he can be.

I am sure some Big East opponents will almost be surprised to see Hopkins back out on the floor for the Friars and not because he is coming back from injury, but more that they thought he would be playing professionally by now. His transfer commitment to PC from Kentucky was a huge win for the program, let alone what he would provide that season at almost 16 points and eight and a half rebounds per game.

Hopkins had nearly identical numbers again last year before his injury, but it was what he was doing defensively last year that was what was most missed. People do almost forget, though, Hopkins had 29 points and 23 rebounds against Marquette in ’22-23 and 25 and 14 against Lehigh last year. Those types of numbers don’t happen by accident. His struggles from three last year really came down to how high he was coming off the floor. It almost seemed like he was off-balance in the air as he released the basketball, making it hard to follow through and consistently replicate a consistent shooting form. But Hopkins has been dominant in the mid-range and in, and I don’t anticipate that to change when he returns this season.

What makes Hopkins so special? There are other forwards who have more size or who can shoot it from the perimeter at a better clip. To me, it’s really the fact he has been “the guy” for so long now; it’s inherently a part of his DNA as a basketball player. I’m sure seeing Devin Carter get drafted in the lottery and witnessing his second-half explosion has to be motivating. But what is that ceiling for Hopkins? Realistically, it’s not crazy to say around 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. Getting his three-point percentage back to the mid 30s and his free throw percentage to at least 75% if not 80% would be massive to meeting the offensive production he is capable of. Hopkins continuing to lead on the offensive glass and lowering his turnover rate to under two per game would be massive for an All Big East caliber campaign we are all hoping #23 can produce when he is cleared to return for the Friars.