Providence guard commits to TCU. Who is he?
The Providence College men's basketball team will have a new cast of lead guards next year after an announcement on social media on Sunday.
Jayden Pierre committed to TCU through a post on his Instagram account. He'll spend a final college season in the Big 12 with the Horned Frogs.
Pierre started in 63 of his 97 games with the Friars, including all but one of his last 64. He averaged 12.3 points and 3.2 assists last season, including 23 games in double figures and a season-high eight assists in a loss at Butler. Pierre entered the transfer portal when it opened on March 24 and will join a team that finished 16-16 last year.
Mar 12, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars guard Jayden Pierre (1) drives to the basket against Butler Bulldogs guard Kolby King (12) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
'I would like to thank my coaches and the support staff for the opportunities they have created for me during my time here,' Pierre wrote on Instagram. 'To Providence College and the fans that have truly supported my teammates and I through everything year in and year out, I want to thank you.'
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Pierre was retained by Providence coach Kim English upon his hiring away from George Mason in 2023-24. Their private game of 1-on-1 at the team practice facility turned into a viral moment on social media, with English winning and partly crediting that result for keeping the New Jersey native at the school. Pierre was part of an NCAA Tournament team as a freshman, recruited by former coach Ed Cooley over offers from Xavier, Creighton, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rutgers, Florida and more.
Both of Pierre's 20-point games last season came prior to the second week of January. He totaled 22 points over his final three games, including seven points on 3-for-13 shooting in a conference tournament loss to the Bulldogs. Pierre's 3-point shooting, assist rate and steal percentage all declined from 2023-24 while his 2-point shooting and foul shooting improved.
The Friars continue to shake up a roster that matched a program record for losses in a season in 2024-25. Providence finished just 12-20 and won a single game after the calendar flipped to February. That was a 75-62 triumph over Villanova, a night in which Pierre went 5-for-9 from 3-point range and Billy Donovan's jersey was retired to the Amica Mutual Pavilion rafters.
Wednesday and Friday saw the Friars accept a handful of commitments, including from perimeter players Daquan Davis, Jason Edwards, Jaylin Sellers and Stefan Vaaks. Davis, Edwards and Sellers are transfers from Florida State, Vanderbilt and Central Florida, respectively. Vaaks will be a freshman addition from his native Estonia.
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Providence returns veteran Corey Floyd Jr. and Ryan Mela as perimeter options. The Friars could also bring back Jabri Abdur-Rahim, who is pursuing a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA. Jaylen Harrell and Jamier Jones will join the roster as freshmen, a wing scorer and high-level athletic prospect, respectively.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Jayden Pierre will leave Providence basketball for TCU
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