The 2024-25 Friar Guards Preview: Volume 2
The 2024-25 Friar Guards Preview: Volume 2
Friar Family,
Preseason previews always present interesting perspectives. I recently listened to two national college basketball podcasts’ Big East previews. First we had the Three Man Weave which really took the Friars down a notch without giving them a chance to tip-off this season. Then I listened to the One Shining Moment Big East Preview with Tate Frazier and guest John Fanta, and the estimation of the Friars was almost completely the opposite.
So, at the end of the day, let’s be reminded that preseason is the preseason for a reason, and you should be taking the perspective of those a little bit closer to the program before tip-off rather than some national analyst who may have not even watched more than one PC game last year.
With that being said, let’s talk about the remaining guards. First up — Wesley Cardet Jr.
I think many have had the same question about Cardet: why would such a highly touted recruit choose Samford and then Chicago State over the likes of Florida, USC, Alabama, Auburn and the many high major offers he received coming out of high school? It seems to be all about loyalty as he followed his uncle, Gerald Gillion, to both of his previous stops.
In terms of his development, Cardet comes in at an impressive 18.7 points per game on 44% shooting from the field last year. With similar numbers in both his seasons at Chicago State, and a physical frame to match, I anticipate a good transition to the Big East — the real question is just how much scoring are we talking at the high major level?
Considering the depth on Providence’s roster, it could be looked at in two ways in terms of what PC will need from him to be successful this season. It could be a guy who averages in the 11-13 point per game range that is part of a balanced attack with depth, or a dominant scorer in the 16-18 ppg range that can help make up for the loss of Devin Carter to the NBA. Either way, I think many agree Cardet will be the number one scoring option from the guard position, with Jayden Pierre being a close second. Cardet fits the mold of a tough Friar guard, with incredible upside to be one of the better two-way guards in the conference. Second team all-conference could be calling!
Jabri Abdur-Rahim: People forget Abdur-Rahim was the Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey in 2018-19 and held offers from Michigan, Kansas, Arizona, Auburn, and USC, just to name a few schools. His college career at Virginia seemed to get off to a slow start due to a foot injury he sustained his senior year of high school. He then transferred to Georgia where he was in more of a supporting role his first two seasons. Last year when the Friars faced Abdur-Rahim, he went 3-6 from 3 and looked like a bright spot on what seemed to be a disjointed Georgia team.
He had 34 points against Kentucky, 20 versus South Carolina, and 21 against Tennessee, so it is more than possible that Abdur-Rahim can be a top three or four scoring option for the 2024-25 Friars. His 36% shooting from the field is something Kim English and staff are likely targeting to see in the mid-40s, as well some uptick close to 40% from three as well. Abdur-Rahim will no doubt play a Ticket Gaines-type role, and will most likely be called upon in the starting five while Bryce Hopkins works his way back. I am excited to see him suit up for the Friars, not just because PC has another former NBA player’s son on the roster, but because this could be the exact situation needed for a 6’8 guard to explode in his last season of college basketball.
Justyn Fernandez: If you have seen his clips from high school, dunking on people left and right and slashing to the rim with a combination of authority and ease, you have to be impressed English was able to land Fernandez at George Mason. As I chatted about with Dennis Felton during our sit-down interview, the staff believes Fernandez is as closely back to his high school bounce and athleticism as he could be after knee surgery. At a full 6’5, with the ability to shoot the three and slash, Fernandez is the ultimate X-factor on this team. I know some fans will point to 37% from field and 56% from the line during his freshman year at Mason, but not all freshman seasons tell the story of a player’s true game. I honestly am not sure what we should expect from him stat-wise this season, or what his role will be opposite the other guards on the roster. I can tell you that if he averages around double figures and serves as a 6th man, that may be just what the Friars need, especially in the early portion of the season as rotations get figured out.
Rich Barron: Technically a forward and guard, I chose to preview Barron as a guard as I see him splitting time more as the back-up two rather than three. Back to my reference to the Three Man Weave podcast from earlier, one of my favorite quotes from it was “Rich Barron will never shoot 43% from three again… that was a fluke.”
This made me laugh out loud for a couple of reasons:
If Barron ups his scoring from just over four points per game to closer to ten, no one will be complaining if he shoots 37% from three.
Why hate on the success? Barron was awesome last year and answered the bell when Hopkins went down in a way that not many true freshman really could. It was his basketball IQ and feel that really led to success — not rushing shots and just knowing where to be to make plays. As is the case with Fernandez, a big question will be in regard to minutes and role. Also, if Barron is to take a big jump this year, his free throw percentage will have to improve from 57% from the line.
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