Photo by The College Basketball Landscape is Shifting: What Does it Mean for the Friars?
The college basketball world is constantly evolving, and this summer has been no exception. With players transferring left and right, teams rebuilding and reloading, it can be hard to keep track of who’s going where and what it all means.
But for Friars fans, one thing is clear: the addition of Oswin Erhunmwunse, the No. 31 college basketball recruit in the 2025 ESPN 100, to the 2024 class is a huge deal. Erhunmwunse, a 6-foot-10 center from Putnam Science Academy (Connecticut), is ranked as ESPN’s No. 2 center in the country, and his impressive stats from the Adidas 3SSB grassroots circuit this spring only serve to reinforce his reputation as an elite talent.
As a player, Erhunmwunse has the ability to score the ball in a number of ways and is dominant on the defensive side of the ball. According to his coach, Kim English, Erhunmwunse has an infectious personality and will be a great fit for the culture of the Friars’ program.
The implications of Erhunmwunse’s reclassification are clear: the Friars are getting a big boost to their roster for the 2024-25 season. And with Erhunmwunse joining Ryan Mela in the Friars’ freshman class, fans have a lot to be excited about.
But what does this mean for the bigger picture in college basketball?
In recent years, the sport has seen a huge shift towards players transferring schools in search of better opportunities. This trend has led to some talented players being snatched up by top programs, but it’s also meant that some schools have seen their rosters depleted as players look for greener pastures.
English rebuilt his 2024-25 roster mostly via the portal this spring, adding Bensley Joseph (Miami), Jabri Abdur-Rahim (Georgia), Christ Essandoko (Saint Joseph’s) and Wesley Cardet Jr. (Chicago State) to a returning group led by Bryce Hopkins and Jayden Pierre.
The increased mobility of players has led to some exciting new combinations of talent, but it’s also raised questions about the long-term stability of college programs.
As the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expires this summer, the landscape of college basketball could be set to shift even further.
‘I believe that the one-time transfer rule will be abolished, allowing players to transfer freely without penalty,’ wrote ESPN’s Jeff Borzello in a recent article. ‘That would likely lead to even more players transferring, and potentially even more upheaval in the sport.’
But what about the Friars?
With Erhunmwunse on board, they’re well-positioned to take advantage of the changing landscape and make some noise in the college basketball world.
‘As a player, you always want to be part of a winning team,’ Erhunmwunse said in a recent interview. ‘I believe that Providence has the potential to be a top program in the country, and I’m excited to be a part of it.’
Friars fans should be excited too. With Erhunmwunse joining the fold, the team’s future is looking brighter than ever.
