“Open Sesame!” A First Look Into the New PC Friars - Kevin Stacom

“Open Sesame!” A First Look Into the New PC Friars - Kevin Stacom

It’s amazing how something so crazy has become so normalized in a relatively short amount of time. 

But here we are in the midst of this year's portal auction show. 

As Providence College basketball fans are still left scratching their heads about how three players from this year's 15W-18L team, Stefan Vaaks, Jamier Jones, and Oswin Erhunmwunse, were able to enter the Portal and command multimillion-dollar contracts from Illinois, Missouri, and Creighton, respectively. 

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The beat goes on.

 They were able to secure their deals because, even though their individual talents didn’t meld into a winning season, they are all, nonetheless, very talented.

So, obviously, with that in mind, here is a quick look at some of the most recent signings from the portal secured by new head coach Bryan Hodgson and his staff, in the pressurized quest to replace the aforementioned talent and the others whose eligibility has naturally expired.

I should mention that I have not had the benefit of watching these players in person, but I am relying on the secondary tool of video to scout these individuals: 

 
#1-Miles Byrd, 6’7” 175lb Wing 
San Diego State
         

When Coach Hodgson took to the podium at Alumni Hall during his introductory press conference to the assembled faithful back in March, he expressed in no uncertain terms what his intended basic coaching emphasis will be. Yes, we will run and be aggressive in pushing the ball up the floor, but it will all be reliant on a very aggressive, relentless defensive attack. The select fan base present almost instinctively cheered in unison- especially at the last part mentioning defense, being painfully aware of just having suffered through a season with the Big East’s #1 rated offense but also, albeit,  the league’s last rated defense.      

The signing of Byrd appears to be a step in fulfilling that promise of defensive emphasis .He was named this year’s Defensive Player of the Year for the Mountain West Conference 
Byrd’s 2025-2026 statistics:
28 minutes/game- 33 games
10.4 points; 4.7 rebounds; 2.6 assists/ 1.9 TO’s; 1.9 Steals; 1.2 Blocks; 40%FG’s; 31% 3’s; 80% FT’s  

Although the gross scoring number of 10.4 doesn’t jump out at you, I can tell you from working with NBA analytical people for many years, these overall stats are the kind that get them primed- especially with the steals and blocked shots highlighted, along with a very decent assist-to-turnover ratio for someone his size.

On film, what jumps out at you is his excellent anticipation of playing possum in passing lanes, being very disruptive on that end of the floor. He also, despite his lean frame, is not afraid to get into guys' grills and fight over big men picks. His very unusual stat of averaging 1.2 blocks/game for a 6’7” player becomes apparent as you see him do a LeBron James imitation of tracking down guys from behind on a break and blocking it at the last possible moment. 

Offensively, you would think there is the possibility that in a different uptempo system his modest offense scoring numbers could expand upwards His mechanics on his lefty jumper look a lot more solid than what you would expect from a 30% 3 point shooter He seemed very comfortable off the break launching in rhythm from the wing, along with displaying the occasional step back 3, and an effective floater in the lane. He also showed to be a very effective and at times, creative passer, hence the 2.6 assists/1.9 TO positive per game statistic.

Nitpicking, like a lot of lefties he showed a distinct preference to drive to his dominant side and to favor pulling up for the jumper when going right but overall should be a great “chemistry” type player with his overall skill set being very reminiscent of Justin Minaya (now with the Portland Trail Blazers) from Ed Cooley’s Final 16 team in 2022 Another good comparable might be Matisse Thybulle also with the Trail Blazers. 

All in all, a very good “get” for Coach Hodgson. An experienced, athletic, defensive-minded player with excellent instincts for the game and the possibility of a further untapped offensive upside 
 

#2- Dink Pate, 6’8”, 210lb, 3-year G-League veteran 
16 points, 6.6 rebounds; 3.7 assists/ 2.4 TO’s

The word “intriguing” would be a tailor made understatement for a player such as Dink Pate For starters he holds the distinction of being the youngest professional basketball player in US history when he signed with the G-league team IGNITE, as a 17 year old right out of high school That G-league team is now defunct,  as its original purpose of giving young top talents the option of forgoing the traditional college route and jumping right in to getting paid to develop in a more professional atmosphere, has now been usurped by the NIL college system 

Even though Dink Pate has been playing professionally in the G-League for 3 years, he only just turned 20 on March 10th, which would put him more in line with a traditionally aged college sophomore or junior.

Most of the film available on Pate is a bit choppy and, of course, of the highlight variety, but nonetheless, there’s evidence of another long athletic wing joining the fold. He handles the ball very well for a 6’8” guard, sees the floor very well, and is a willing passer as evidenced by his 3.7 assists/ 2.4 TO ratio. He was a solid rebounder for his position at 6.6 rebounds/game. Another positive part of his development is that his 3-point shooting has improved each of the 3 years he’s been in the G-League, going from only 21% his 1st year, 26% in the 2nd year, and up to 37% this past year.

Not to mention that the G-League 3 is  1 foot, 7 1/4 inches longer than the College 3 ( NBA- 23’ 9” vs College- 22’ 1 3/4” from the top of the key).

At this point, you might envision a poor man’s Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons in the developmental phase, in terms of his style of play, his size and skill set

Basically, as a young 17-year-old, Dink Pate was thrown to the wolves of playing professionally against grown men. Hopefully, now, in a more stable, nurturing atmosphere of a college environment, his real potential can be maximized. I’m sure Coach Hodgson will emphasize utilizing some of that length and athleticism for the defensive end of the floor, also. 

#3- Devin Vanterpool, 6’4” 190lb Sophmore
Last year at Florida Atlantic University:
31.2 minutes/game
15.8 points/game; 44% FG’s; 35% 3’s; 78% FT’s; 6.3 rebounds/game: 1.5 steals/game; .8 Blocks/game; 2.4 assists/game

Make that another athletic, tough-minded guard/wing player seemingly well-suited to carry out new head Coach Bryan Hodgson’s mission of establishing a relentless defensive identity. 

After a quiet freshman season of limited playing time, Vanterpool took full advantage of his opportunity for increased time his sophomore year to go on to lead Florida Atlantic in both scoring and rebounding (15.8/6.3), while earning the most improved player of the year award in the American Athletic Conference. Previously, he played high school ball at Christ the King in NYC.

The first thing you notice on film is his easy, quick lateral movement, hawking the ball handler, forcing a constant change of direction as the opposing guard navigates, getting the ball up the floor. Lateral movement like that is a genetic anatomical gift, but the will to apply that pressure on a consistent basis is a choice determined by attitude. Vanterpool appears to possess that type of focus 

He can shoot it with range, go to the hoop strong, and has a good feel for the game. I think we can be. Rest assured that Providence will definitely not be ranked last defensively next season, as this is another “get” with the signature pedigree of a defensive-minded player. Also, when a player of his size leads his team in rebounds, it usually speaks to his uber competitiveness and overall elevated instincts for the game. 

Again, another excellent “Chemistry” guy for building a team 1st Culture. 
Another item worth mentioning with these 3 Portal Acquisitions is that with all 3, schools such as Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State, Louisville, SMU, Baylor, etc., were all in the mix.
 

#4- Ryan Sabol, 6’3”, 195lb, Sr Guard
Last season at the University of Buffalo:
32 games; 36.3 minutes/game
18.8 points; 43% FG’s; 40% 3’s; 86% FT’s; 3.3 assists/ 1.8 TO’s/ game
 

After a relatively short sampling of film and framed by the knowledge of his statistical accomplishments, it’s not hard to see why Coach Hodgson reached out to acquire Ryan Sabol from the University of Buffalo. 

At the very least, he should be able to carve out an important role as a strategic 3-point assassin. He is a fundamentally sound, old-school basketball player with a gaudy 40% 3 point mark last season and 38% from 3 over his last 3 years at Buffalo.

He also knows how to play and generally makes good decisions with the ball, as evidenced by his 3.2 assists/1.8 TO’s/game .

He’s developed a good feel to provide the counter to the opposition coming at him at the line by executing solid pump fakes, leading to step back jumpers to the vacuum or one quick dribble either right or left before launch. If he doesn’t have a shot, he has a good feel for where the next pass should go. He also has a decent mid-range game from either elbow in the lane.

A good, solid pickup providing a much-needed element in today’s game. The longtime fans at the Amp will definitely appreciate his game as his pure shooting will stretch opposing defenses and create opportunities for the more athletic slashers being assembled. He’s also another acquisition who’ll give maximum effort on the defensive end to the best of his ability 

Noteworthy stat- Sabol’s 122 made 3’s last year was ranked 7th nationally in that category, and his 3.8 made 3’s per game was ranked 4th nationally!
My former teammate and longtime PC radio color man, Joe Hasset, is going to love this guy!
 

#5- Gavin Hightower, Soph G, 6’1”, 165 lbs
Last season at USF:
Played in 26 games, averaging 10.1 minutes/game
4.1 points; 1.7 rebounds; 1.7 assists 

A few characteristics Gavin Hightower displayed in the little film available. 

It doesn’t take long to see that Hightower is another example of what Coach Hodgson was promising at his initial press conference He’s another ball hawking guard that can create a lot of headaches for opposing offenses Hightower is one of those fearless, relentless spidery defenders that will get right up into you and cause a lot of back to the basket defensive dribbling You can see things taking shape on the defensive end with Byrd, Vanterpool, Pate, and now Hightower applying pressure all over the court.

In the NCAA game vs Louisville, where USF’s frenetic comeback fell just short, Hightower had 4 steals that game, and as a freshman, towards the end of the year, in the last 7 games on a veteran-laden team, he forced his way into the rotation, going from about 10 minutes/game to about 17 minutes/game.

His outside game needs to be improved, but his defensive intensity and unselfish pass 1st disposition and ability to cause some havoc in the lane with his elite quickness and speed will no doubt make him a factor almost immediately somewhere in the rotation.

Besides, Coach Hodgson obviously knows him well and didn’t entice him to travel to Providence with him because he thinks he’s a nice guy.

#6- Samson Aleton, 6’10”, 225 lb Sr
Last year at Yale:
29 games; 26.4 minutes/game
7.8 points; 58% FG’s; 58% FT’s; 1.2 assists/ .9 TO’s/ game: 1.4 Blocks/ game
From the little film I was able to watch, he appears to be a traditional rim-running shot blocking defensive-minded big with a limited offensive repertoire. As a freshman 3 years ago, he made his bones by securing the win against Auburn in an NCAA upset win, as he made 2 key blocks with time expiring. 

By all indications, Aletan is a high character addition. Playing his high school ball in Dallas, Texas, he eschewed more big-time offers from such prominent in-state schools as Houston, Texas, TCU, and Texas A & M.
 

He has stated that out of respect for his Mother and late professor father, who passed away when he was 8, he chose Yale as his best chance for a great education. Aletan graduated from Yale in 3 years and is spending his last year at PC as a Graduate Senior. 

He is the highest-ranking recruit in the history of the Yale basketball program 
 

Another important point is that Coach Hodgson is getting another player who is used to winning 
In the last 3 years that Aletan has been at Yale, their record has been:
2023-2024 - 23/10, (11-3 Conference 
2024-2025 - 22/8, (13-1 Conference)
2025-2026 - 24/7, (11-3 Conference)
    

Whether Aleton is a placeholder as a valuable defensive-oriented rotational guy or will have to be the anchor as the team's starting 5 remains to be seen. Starting level 5’s are carrying an increasingly exorbitant price tag in today’s Portal World, so that remains to be seen 
     

So at this point, it seems Coach Hodgson has a method to his madness, acquiring a good amount of athleticism, speed, length, along with some high basketball IQ’s, accompanied by players not afraid to commit to the defensive end of the floor and sprinkled with a bit of 3-point shooting for good measure.

We might, for a change, see a team come out and match the high bar of defensive intensity and aggressiveness that a Pitino St John’s team brings from the opening tip.
  

That would be fun to watch!