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2016 Wish List

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Unlike prior years it seems that Friar fans do not yet have a handle on which class of 2016 players are recruiting priorities for the PC coaching staff. There seems to be no Donovan Mitchell, Abdul Malik-Abu, or Kris Dunn out there that Friar fans can point to as the key recruit that the coaching staff will pull out all the stops for to try and get.

It should become apparent at some point during the July Live Period who the staff is spending the most time with and is a high priority. In the meantime here is my own personal wish list of players I would like to see the Friars land in the class of 2016. This is not necessarily the best players that PC is recruiting, rather it is a list of players  that the staff has a reasonable chance of getting that I would like to see the staff go after hard.

(Disclaimer: I tend to like local players or NEPSAC players that I have seen play in person)


Wenyen Gabriel, 6’10 PF,  Wilbraham & Monson (Mass Rivals) – Gabriel seems to get better and better (and taller) every time I see him. He has all the tools to succeed at the next level combining an improving low post game with a nice outside game. He has great athletic ability and is rapidly improving his rebounding skills.  Gabriel has a very high upside as he is still growing into his body. Two years ago he was a 6’3 guard prospect, now he is 6’10 and still growing.

The PC coaching staff has been recruiting Gabriel very hard. He was at the PC Elite Camp last summer and  a couple of weeks ago was on the PC campus for an unofficial visit. Ed Cooley has already been to see him this week at the Adidas Gauntlet Finale where he averaged 13 points and 12 rebounds per game. The Friar coaching staff was also out in full force on Sunday when Gabriel competed in the Basketbull Championships. He may very well be PC’s top target this summer.

Jordy Tshimanga, 6’11 C, MacDuffie School – At 6’11 and 260 pounds Jordy is a classic low post center. He cannot be pushed off the block and does not mind playing with his back to the basket. When I saw him play at the PC Elite Camp last summer he more than held his own against former Friar commit Alex Owens.

Tshimanga is very coordinated for his size and has a nice touch from the outside. He will need to work on some more low post moves to have a more polished offensive game. Tshimanga is not a great leaper but at his size he does not have to be. He should be getting the ball more this year at MacDuffie as his former teammate Omari Spelmann has transferred to St. Thomas More Academy.

The Friars have been recruiting Tshimanga very hard. I have seen him play in person several times and each time there has been at least one member of the PC coaching staff in attendance. Tshimanga has been playing this week at the Under Armour All America Camp where he has made a good impression.

Kevin Marfo, 6’8 PF, Worcester Academy (BABC) – There is nothing flashy about Kevin Marfo, he just gets the job done. Marfo is one of the surprise players this AAU season and is now considered a legitimate high major player.

Marfo is a classic low post back to the basket type of power forward. He is a great rebounder and finisher around the basket who does his damage with size, great footwork and desire. He is not a great athlete at this point in his career but he should be able to improve his athletic ability with more work.

Marfo was at Providence College for an unofficial visit a couple of weeks ago and seemed to enjoy his visit. He would make a nice four year addition to the PC front court. It will be interesting to see how aggressively the Friar coaching staff recruits him this summer.

Breein Tyree, 6’1 PG,  St. Joseph High School (Sports U) – Breein Tyree is one of the more athletic point guards in the class of 2016. When I saw him at the Providence Jamfest in May he would not be denied when taking the ball to the basket. He also has a nice outside shot which he mixes into his offensive game.

At this point in his development Tyree is more of a scoring point and will have to learn to get his teammates more involved at the next level. This should come with time.

Providence recently offered Tyree and he would make a nice addition to the PC backcourt the next four years. It will be interesting to see if the PC coaching staff concentrates on him during the July Live period.

Eddie Ekiyor, 6’8 PF, New Hampton Prep School (CIA Bounce) – Eddie is an athletic power forward from Canada who plays well above the rim. He runs the court very well, has a high motor, and is a very good rebounder.

Ekiyor still needs to work on his offensive game to become a more prolific scorer at the next level. Once he develops some low post moves and a mid range game his offense will come around.

Ekiyor is the type of player who can come in and contribute right away for a high major program. PC has offered him and hopefully they will be recruiting him hard during July. He would make a great addition to the Friar program.

There you have it. The five players on my wish list for the class of 2016.

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