🏀 Maybe Kim English should run for Congress

Kim English argued a call last fall while he was head coach at George Mason.Julie Bennett/Associated Press

This will probably be the last Rhode Map about Providence College basketball until next season, unless brand new coach Kim English somehow convinces Bronny James to buy an apartment on Eaton Street.

PC is set to formally introduce English and new women’s coach Erin Batth at an 11 a.m. press conference in Mullaney Gym, but English is already drawing rave reviews for … really everything that he’s done so far.

He ate dinner at Cassarino’s on Federal Hill last Friday night, and he has since received 171 Twitter replies recommending different restaurants all over the state. The poor guy is coming to us at about 180 pounds, and he’s going to weigh about 300 pounds by the time the season tips off.

English is already recruiting like a beast, convincing two of his former players at George Mason (Josh Oduro and Justyn Fernandez) to make the drive up I-95 north. Alyn Breed and Corey Floyd Jr. have already said they’re staying, but everyone is waiting for decisions from Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter.

Last night, English won the Internet when he challenged talented guard Jayden Pierre to a game of one-on-one (and beat him). English teased that Pierre has to exit the transfer portal now and stay with the Friars, but that commitment hasn’t been made.

English is bringing the same energy to the Friars that he brought when he starred at the University of Missouri from 2008 until 2012. As a senior, he led the Tigers to a Big 12 championship and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they were upset in the first round by Norfolk State. English was selected in the second round of the NBA draft and played one season for the Detroit Pistons.

Not everything has been smooth sailing since the other guy left. The fourth-best college basketball team in Washington, D.C. has managed to grab a few of the Friars’ top recruits in the past week.

But the English era is off to a solid start.

This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.