The Providence Friars basketball program is becoming quite steady over the past few years, as they have sustained success since Ed Cooley took over. Cooley recently agreed to an extension with the school that will keep him there for quite some time, so they should be able to sustain that success even longer.
As good of a coach as Cooley is though, the Friars will still need good players in order to continue winning like they have recently. Providence will definitely be losing its best player from last year, Kris Dunn, to the NBA Draft as he is a projected lottery pick, but they also may lose Ben Bentil.
Bentil was just a sophomore this past season, but he made such a huge improvement that he threw his name in the NBA Draft pool. Bentil did not hire an agent, so there is still a chance he could be back at Providence, and that chance might be good considering he is not projected to be drafted, but you still never know.
With the uncertainty surrounding Providence's entire roster next season, it is putting in some work on the recruiting trail. Most of the 2016 recruits already decided where they will play, but the Friars have their eyes on one specific player who is currently undecided: Alpha Diallo.
Diallo is a four-star small forward who has offers from many of the top programs in the nation. He recently scheduled visits to both Florida and Oklahoma State, but has already visited Providence and VCU. As of now, the 6-foot-7 forward does not have a decision date, but it seems like the Friars are the favorites to land him. Diallo is from Denver, Colo., but played high school basketball at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., so location may play a factor in the Friars being the favorite.
Diallo is ranked as the 94th best player and the 17th best small forward in the 2016 recruiting class. Getting a commitment from him would be huge for Cooley and company considering the roster uncertainty and the fact that Diallo is a talented player with great size. So far, the Friars have only received one commitment for 2016 and that's from Maliek White, who is a three-star point guard. They will likely be on the lookout for transfers, and they do have guys like Rodney Bullock returning as well, but having Diallo come in next year would be a big help.
