Corey Floyd Jr. announced that he will be returning to Providence for his fourth season with the Friars, becoming the third such player to confirm he will be playing for Kim English next season following the previous announcements from Ryan Mela and Oswin.
Floyd Jr. was the first player to commit to Kim English upon his arrival in Friartown, forever cementing his place in the hearts of Friar fans. After redshirting his first year at UConn, Floyd is set to embark on a four-year journey in Providence—an increasingly rare commitment in today’s era of college basketball. His experience, leadership, and steady presence will be invaluable to next year’s squad, which currently features two sophomores (Mela & Oswin) and two freshmen (Jamier Jones & Jaylen Harrell).
On the court, Floyd Jr. is a versatile player who does a lot of things well. He’s a strong, athletic defender and excels at playing off two feet—an essential aspect of Kim English’s system. One area for growth would be developing more confidence in his three-point shot and embracing a more vocal leadership role, something the Friars have lacked in recent years. Most of Providence’s recent leaders—like Jayden Pierre, Bryce Hopkins, David Duke Jr., AJ Reeves, Josh Oduro, Jared Bynum, and Alpha Diallo—have been quiet, lead-by-example types. The team could greatly benefit from the presence of a vocal leader in the mold of Al Durham, Emmitt Holt, or Nate Watson next season.
Over the past three seasons, Corey has been a durable presence on the court, averaging 31 games played per year and only missing time last season due to an unfortunate whiplash injury sustained in a hit-and-run near a Dunkin’ Donuts. This past season marked his best yet, as he increased his minutes per game from 23.3 to 28.9 while nearly doubling his scoring average from 4.8 to 9.2 points per game. In fact, his stats improved significantly across the board, showcasing his continued growth and impact. Let’s take a look at his statistical improvements from his sophomore to junior years.
23.3 mpg to 28.9 mpg
4.8 ppg to 9.2 ppg
3.0 rpg to 4.8 rpg
1.2 apg to 2.0 apg
34.1% FG / 24.7% 3pt FG / 69.3% FT to 43.1% FG / 32.4% 3pt FG / 80.0% FT
Corey is a fan favorite and a very welcome addition back in Friartown. The team continues to take shape and so far I’m a fan of who Kim English and his staff have retained on the roster.
The Morning Hangover 