Committed to Kim: Jaylen Harrell
Friars Lock Up the Top 100 Massachusetts Native
Editor’s Note: All recruiting rankings reflect 247 Composite rankings as of 7/1/24
Well, it took a bit longer than we all expected, but Jaylen Harrell is officially headed to Friartown. The 4 star recruit who plays his high school hoops at Cambridge Arts, Technology and Science Academy made it official on Monday evening, picking the Friars over Xavier, Rutgers, Alabama and Kansas.
Harrell repeatedly spoke to his relationship with Kim English and the entire coaching staff as the deciding factor in his college decision, which is something we’ve heard a lot of late between Harrell, Jamier Jones, and Oswin Erhunmwunse. Harrell brings a steady diet of size and outside shooting to Friartown and will pair nicely with Top 30 commit Jamier Jones. When I look at Harrell’s game, specifically the way he moves without the ball and the quick, elevated release on his jumper, it’s impossible to not see shades of AJ Reeves. Similar to Reeves, Harrell doesn’t necessarily profile as a one-and-done player (Jones does), but if I’m being honest I almost prefer a player who will grow and improve and become a fixture in our lives for multiple years.
“We want to win a national championship or get as far as possible,” Harrell said to assembled media at his official committment event, “A lot of people think you can’t win big at Providence and we’re gonna change that when we get there. For me, I want to go to the NBA after my time at Providence. It might not be one year, it might not be two years, I’m just not rushing it and will trust the process and Kim [English’s] process.” To hear an 18 year old speak with that type of candor and maturity is extremely rare and is not only a reflection of Harrell, but his entire support system.
As for the Program, Harrell is a near-perfect complimentary piece to add to the class of 2025 recruiting hall alongside Jamier Jones. In the micro, the Friars still need one more piece to round out the class (Jalen Reece, London Jemison and Tee Bartlett are all names to watch) but I wouldn’t anticipate any more formal commitments until the current AAU summer circuit wraps up in ~6 weeks. Plenty of time for all that. In the macro, this has been a run on the recruiting trail that has never been scene before at Providence College. Let’s all take a minute to just appreciate this timeline:
April 5th - Miami transfer Bensley Joseph commits to Providence for final season of eligibility
April 10th - St Joe’s transfer Christ Essandoko commits to Providence with 3 year of eligibility remaining
April 15th - Georgia transfer Jabri Abdur-Rahim commits to Providence for final season of eligibility
April 21st - Chicago State transfer Wesley Cardet commits to Providence for final season of eligibility
May 12th - Top 30 class of 2025 recruit Jamier Jones commits to Providence
June 17th - Top 30 class of 2025 recruit Oswin Erhunmwunse reclassifies to 2024 (Oswin ended up 90th in the class of 2024, reclasses are evaluated strangely, take it with a grain of salt)
June 26th - After being a fringe second round pick last season, Devin Carter is drafted 13th overall to the Sacramento Kings
July 1st - Top 100 class of 2025 recruit Jaylen Harrell commits to Providence
Not half bad for a Program that can’t attract top talent!
These are good times Friartown. We’re on pace for big success. Have a great 4th of July weekend and cheers to Jaylen Harrell!