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Alpha Diallo Returning to Providence for Senior Season
A week after news of Ed Cooley staying at Providence after being pursued by another suitor, Jeff Goodman of Stadium reported that Alpha Diallo is expected to return to Providence after testing the waters of the professional ranks. Diallo announced on April 16th that he was entering the NBA Draft. In a release sent out by Providence that sae day Diallo said he was “excited to go through the workout process.” Diallo worked out for several teams, including the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks. He was not invited to the NBA Draft Combine. In that same April 16th release, Ed Cooley said “we support Alpha and as he goes through this process. This process will enable him to gain knowledge and experience about the potential for his future in professional basketball.” That future will now have to wait one more year.
Providence’s Alpha Diallo is expected to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to school, his agent Javon Phillips told me. With Diallo and progress of young guys, I’d be shocked if Friars aren’t back in NCAA Tourney next season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 28, 2019
Diallo’s return means the Friars will have 3 seniors and 2 graduate students eligible on the 2019-20 roster. Emmitt Holt was granted a 6th year of eligibility by the NCAA, though how much he will be able to give on the court is still a big unknown. Providence added UMass grad transfer Luwane Pipkins who seems likely to be the team’s starting point guard next season, and other seniors Maliek White and Kalif Young add plenty of experience and seasoning to the uber talented rising junior and sophomore classes that includes Nate Watson, David Duke, A.J. Reeves and Jimmy Nichols. Top-65 incoming freshman Greg Gantt arrived in Providence on Monday and will begin classes this week
Early prediction on Providence's 19-20 starting five: Luwane Pipkins, David Duke, A.J. Reeves, Alpha Diallo, Nate Watson. https://t.co/VuUypzSB0b
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 28, 2019
After what could have been a disastrous last 7 days with Cooley being strongly considered for the Michigan job, and Diallo not announcing his intentions for his senior season, things have turned out very well for Friar fans as we head to June. Cooley signed a new 10 year deal, and the Friars get back a player who has a real chance of being preseason First Team All Big East in October. Practice will begin soon for the Cooley-coached USA Basketball team filled with Big East players for the 2019 Pan Am games. I’d expect an announcement on the roster, which may be slightly complicated by more than half the league going on foreign tours this Summer, soon.
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