Another big name returning to Providence College basketball — how the team is shaping up
Providence extended its parallel runs of retention and recruiting success on Monday.
The Friars received commitments from a current player and incoming freshman. Rafael Castro confirmed his stay for a third season in 2023-24 and Richard Barron pledged to Providence after initially selecting George Mason and previous coach Kim English.
Castro joins a returning group headlined by sophomore stars Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter. Barron reopened his recruitment in late March when English was hired away from the Patriots by the Friars. He’s now the fourth incoming player for Providence in 2023-24.
Castro redshirted as a freshman in 2021-22, watching in street clothes while the program made its first Sweet 16 appearance in 25 years. He didn’t play more than six minutes in a game last season after notching a first career double-double against Albany – 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 93-55 spanking on Dec. 10. Castro didn’t get off the bench in six of Providence’s last 11 contests, including a 61-53 loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
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Castro could offer significant upside thanks to his athletic 6-foot-11 frame. He’s necessary frontcourt depth alongside George Mason veteran Josh Oduro, an all-Big East selection in Hopkins and incoming freshman Donovan Santoro. Castro selected the Friars ahead of competition from Seton Hall, Xavier, VCU, Florida, Miami, Dayton and more.
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— Kim English (@Englishscope24) April 3, 2023
Hopkins, Carter, Quante Berry and Corey Floyd Jr. all confirmed their intention to return last week. Jayden Pierre withdrew from the NCAA transfer portal over the weekend and could line up as the primary point guard next season. Alyn Breed is currently suspended after a Saturday arrest on a host of domestic counts – he'd be entering a fourth year with the program.
Barron is a three-star wing guard who also held offers from the likes of Arizona State, DePaul, Loyola Chicago, Indiana State, Toledo, Kent State, Southern Illinois, Milwaukee and more. He’s a Chicago native who helped lead St. Ignatius Prep on a deep state tournament run last season and played his grassroots basketball on the Nike circuit with Meanstreets. Barron will find a familiar face in Hopkins – he's from suburban Oak Park.
Barron, Oduro, Santoro and Patriots transfer Justyn Fernandez now make up Providence’s incoming class. Oduro was a two-time all-conference selection in the Atlantic 10 and Fernandez was a top-100 prospect before spending his lone season at George Mason.
The Friars are also expected to welcome Wyoming transfer Graham Ike on a visit later this month. He redshirted last season with a foot injury after enjoying a dominant sophomore campaign with the Cowboys, averaging 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds over 33 games. Providence has also been connected to Virginia Tech transfer wing Darren Buchanan Jr. and former commit Garwey Dual, a top-80 prospect who could follow forward Drew Fielder and 2024 guard Kayvaun Mulready to Georgetown along with former Friars coach Ed Cooley.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence College basketball: Rafael Castro confirms return to Friars
