Providence basketball's Jayden Pierre changes course, opts to return to Friars next season

Bill Koch, The Providence Journal

April 2, 2023 at 9:45 PM·3 min read

Jayden Pierre is staying at Providence after all.

The freshman guard announced his entry into the NCAA transfer portal earlier in the week, but he officially reversed course on Sunday. Pierre will be back for a sophomore season with the Friars and should be among the favorites to start at point guard.

“Mens sana in corpore sano,” Pierre wrote on his personal Twitter page Sunday night. “A healthy mind in a healthy body,” as translated from Latin.

Pierre flashed at times during the nonconference portion of the schedule in 2022-23. He hit double figures in three of his first eight games, including 13 points in a road loss to TCU. Pierre totaled 11 assists and five rebounds in a home blowout of Albany but didn’t play more than 18 minutes in a game after that 93-55 cruise past the Great Danes on Dec. 10.

More: PC introduces Kim English as new head men's basketball coach — 'New teammate in Friartown'

Pierre was a coveted recruit for Providence in its Class of 2023. He selected the Friars ahead of fellow finalists Xavier, Minnesota and Florida. Pierre also claimed offers from the likes of Nebraska, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Creighton, Seton Hall and St. John’s out of his native New Jersey.

Mens sana in corpore sano💆🏾‍♂️ #Mindset 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/AQ0BMuNl2Y
— Jayden Pierre (@badsocietyclub) April 2, 2023

Did a certain game of 1-on-1 lead Pierre to change his mind? He squared off with new Providence coach Kim English late Tuesday night and was publicly ribbed by English at his Wednesday press conference after losing twice. Pierre put his right hand over his forehead while the crowd at Alumni Hall offered a lightly mocking round of applause.

“I’ve watched you guys play every single game from last season,” English said. “I know all of your games — and, Jayden, you know I know your game.”

The Friars have been able to retain the majority of their roster and picked up a couple OF key additions over the week. Bryce Hopkins, Devin Carter, Corey Floyd Jr. and Quante Berry all announced they would stay for the 2023-24 campaign. George Mason big man Josh Oduro and wing guard Justyn Fernandez will follow English to Providence, a two-time all-conference selection in the Atlantic 10 and former top-100 prospect, respectively.

Friartown needed a positive boost today. Can’t express how happy I am that @badsocietyclub is staying as a member of the Friar Family. Jayden is a wonderful young man & great student with unlimited potential on the court. Well done @Englishscope24 #Mindset #gofriars https://t.co/3RZLx0AiFJ
— Steven Napolillo (@nap16) April 2, 2023

Pierre’s announcement comes one day after Friars guard Alyn Breed was arrested by the Providence police on a litany of domestic charges. Breed is being detained until a Monday court appearance and has been suspended by the program. His long-term future has yet to be determined but Breed wasn’t listed on the team roster as of Sunday night at friars.com.

Providence also could have less immediate competition for Pierre coming in future years. Kayvaun Mulready flipped his commitment to Georgetown last week, a top-100 prospect who will follow Ed Cooley to the Hoyas. The Friars currently have a lone incoming freshman in wing forward Donovan Santoro, who reaffirmed his commitment to the program after a visit from English last weekend to Southern California Academy.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Jayden Pierre changes mind, announces return to Providence basketball

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