Providence Friars to lose more players to transfer portal. Who's leaving?

Providence’s men, Bryant’s men, the University of Rhode Island women and the Providence women all face potential 2026-27 roster changes due to expected transfer portal and commitment activity last week. The Friars men could see three additional players depart when the portal officially opens. The Bulldogs men picked up a commitment, the Rams women could see a young star leave Kingston and the Friars women saw an international connection depart for the Division II ranks.

Oswin Erhunmwunse, Jamier Jones and Nilavan Daniels took the headlines in Providence after Ryan Mela announced his intention to return for his junior season. Duane Thompson is back in Division I with Bryant after spending last season in junior college. Vanessa Harris and Austeja Babraitis could both start next season elsewhere after spending 2025-26 with the URI women and Providence women, respectively.

The portal will officially open for twin 15-day windows – Monday, April 6, through April 21 in the women’s game, Tuesday, April 7, through April 22 in the men’s game. That’s one day after their respective national championship games. Coaches had previously been forced to re-recruit their own rosters or attempt to build news ones in the midst of the NCAA Tournament.

Players generally would like to settle their respective futures before offseason workouts begin, but finding a fit – the right relationship, potential role and an agreements on name, image and likeness rights – is a two-way street. This space will be updated weekly with any local developments. Here’s a look at the action from last week.