NCAA Basketball: 10 teams with under-the-radar solid 2024 offseason transfer classes

7. Providence Friars

Like other teams, the Friars also lost key pieces. Star guard Devin Carter was a first-round pick in the NBA Draft, while seniors Davonte Gaines and Josh Oduro were seniors. It’s also important to note that Bryce Hopkins, the top returning player on the roster, is recovering from a season-ending injury months ago. That makes the impact of the transfer class all of the more important.

Since Carter was the defacto point guard for Providence last season, they needed to find one from the portal. Bensley Joseph averaged 9.6 ppg and 3.4 apg at Miami, shooting over 36% from deep. He’ll pair well with Jayden Pierre in the backcourt, joined by two other veteran guards.

Wesley Cardet Jr. comes over from Chicago State, coming off producing 18.7 ppg on 44% shooting from the field. The senior scored 30 points in the big road upset over Northwestern. Another big guard Providence has is Jabri Abdur-Rahim, a 6’7 wing who averaged 12.2 ppg while shooting 36% from deep.

The big x-factor will be Christ Essandoko, a 7’0 redshirt freshman transfer from St. Joe’s who has plenty of talent when healthy. If he can have a big year at the Big East level, the Friars lineup will have a big season themselves.