7-foot center Christ Essandoko commits to Providence basketball for a second time

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For the second time in his young basketball career, Christ Essandoko has committed to Providence.

The Friars scored a pledge out of the transfer portal from the rugged 7-foot center early Wednesday evening. Essandoko arrives after two years at Saint Joseph’s, the first as an academic redshirt.

“Big dog confirmed,” Providence assistant coach Nate Tomlinson posted on social media late Wednesday.

More: Cumberland native Tyler Kolek will skip last college season, head to NBA Draft

Saint Joseph’s center Christ Essandoko (22) drives to the basket during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats last fall. Essandoko has committed to the Providence Friars on Wednesday.

Essandoko retains three seasons of eligibility and was a popular prospect immediately after hitting the open market last week. He reported contact from the likes of Kansas, Florida, North Carolina State, Texas Tech, TCU, Texas, Cincinnati, Boston College, Pittsburgh and more. Essandoko was also pursued by Big East rivals Creighton, Villanova, Butler, Georgetown, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Xavier.

“Money is not an issue,” Providence coach Kim English said last week on The Field of 68 podcast, speaking generally about recruiting in the age of name, image and likeness rights. “We’re not going to lose a player. Our biggest donors have really stepped up and made it clear if we need a player we’re not going to let money be the issue.”

Essandoko joins Miami guard Bensley Joseph, George Mason guard Justyn Fernandez, wing forward Ryan Mela and junior college big man Anton Bonke among those expected to debut with Providence in 2024-25. Fernandez sat out last season with the Friars after suffering a serious knee injury in the spring and Bonke practiced with the team after enrolling for second semester.

Transcript issues kept Essandoko from joining Providence the first time around, and he took a year in residence with the Hawks in 2022-23. He debuted in November and started in 15 of his 25 appearances,…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/7-foot-center-christ-essandoko-232301113.html

Author : The Providence Journal

Publish date : 2024-04-10 23:23:01

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