Here's the latest on the college basketball transfer portal in RI

TL;DR

Providence women signed two players, while Bryant men secured a commitment from Georgia Tech. URI men added Jason Fontenet II from UC Santa Barbara as the transfer portal activity continues in Rhode Island college basketball.

Key points

Providence women signed two players from Florida and East Carolina.
Bryant men secured a commitment from a Georgia Tech prospect.
URI men added Jason Fontenet II from UC Santa Barbara.
The NCAA transfer portal is closed to new entries barring exceptions.
Players seek to finalize transfers before offseason workouts begin.

Mentioned in this story

NCAAJason Fontenet IIRhode IslandFloridaEast CarolinaGeorgia TechUC Santa BarbaraAlbany

Providence womenBryant menURI men

Two new signings for the Providence women, an ACC commitment for the Bryant men and an official staff addition for the Rhode Island women highlighted the transfer portal and business activity on the state’s college basketball scene last week.

The Friars continued to build their transfer class through a pair of pledges from Florida and East Carolina. The Bulldogs landed a prospect from Georgia Tech and the Rams went back to Albany for a chief lieutenant under new coach Colleen Mullen.

Jason Fontenet II committed to the URI men after an abbreviated season at UC Santa Barbara. He adds some wing depth to a roster that will already include major additions in the backcourt and frontcourt. The Rams – like the majority of their peers in the Atlantic 10 and beyond – still have open scholarships and the chance to add further.

The portal is officially closed to new entries on both the men’s and women’s sides barring a coaching change or an approved NCAA waiver. Coaches had previously been forced to re-recruit their own rosters or attempt to build news ones in the midst of the NCAA Tournament. That changed to twin 15-day periods after the national championship games this spring.

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.

Feb 27, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Daviane Mindoudi Ongbakahoumb (12) attempts a three point basket over Oklahoma Sooners guard Aubrey Joens (20) during the second half at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 27, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

Providence women's basketball add two

Q&A

What recent signings occurred in Rhode Island college basketball?

Providence women signed two players from Florida and East Carolina, while Bryant men secured a commitment from a Georgia Tech prospect.

Who is Jason Fontenet II and which team did he join?

Jason Fontenet II is a player who committed to the URI men after a season at UC Santa Barbara, adding wing depth to their roster.

What changes were made to the NCAA transfer portal rules?

The transfer portal is now closed to new entries unless there is a coaching change or an approved NCAA waiver, with two 15-day periods established after the national championship games.

How does the transfer portal affect offseason workouts for players?

Players typically aim to finalize their futures before offseason workouts, but finding the right fit involves considerations of relationships, roles, and NIL agreements.