Providence basketball is at a bit of a crossroads right now.
After an underwhelming 15-18 season, head coach Bryan Hodgson was hired in March 2026 after a terrific year leading the USF Bulls into the NCAA Tournament. Now, Hodgson is using the transfer portal to assemble a new-look roster that’s longer and more perimeter-focused in hopes of turning around the program.
Providence 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker
Players Leaving in the Transfer Portal
- Stefan Vaaks | Committed to Illinois
- Oswin Erhunmwunse | Committed to Creighton
- Jamier Jones | Committed to Missouri
- Nilavan Daniels | Committed to William & Mary
- Jaylen Harrell | Committed to Washington State
- Jason Edwards
- Daquan Davis
- Jaylin Sellers (exhausted eligibility)
Once Hodgson came in, players began to transfer, and it wasn’t a surprise. Vaaks is the biggest departure, as he averaged 15.8 points per game as a freshman. He was one of the more highly coveted players in the portal, and he ultimately committed to Illinois.
Erhunmwunse remains in the Big East, as he committed Creighton. Edwards, Harrell, and Davis are still figuring out their next destination. (Edwards might need a waiver depending on where he ends up).
In the meantime, Sellers finished his collegiate career after leading the Big East in scoring with 18.3 points per game on 47.3% shooting from the field.
Confirmed Returning Players
- Ryan Mela
Right now, Mela is the only scholarship player from last season who is confirmed to be back. He played in all 33 games last season and recorded 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds.
As it stands, this will basically be a brand-new team next season.
Incoming Players
- Dink Pate (NBA G League)
- Miles Byrd (San Diego State)
- Devin Vanterpool (Florida Atlantic)
- Ryan Sabol (Buffalo)
- Samson Aletan (Yale)
- Gavin Hightower (USF)
While Providence’s roster has undergone a ton of turnover, they have also made some notable additions. Pate is the big get, as he just averaged 16.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in the NBA G League as a member of the Westchester Knicks. He has shown that he can put up impressive numbers against pros, so he should be able to dominate for the Friars.
Byrd averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while earning the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award last season.
Vanterpool averaged 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.2 3-pointers, while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.1% from deep.
Sabol comes in after averaging 18.8 points per game at Buffalo. Aletan gives them size at 6-foot-10, and Hightower already knows Hodgson’s system from South Florida, where he played in his freshman season.
