URI sneaks in under recruiting deadline to nab Seton Hall transfer Brandon Weston
Men’s basketball entered an NCAA-mandated recruiting dead period at midnight Wednesday. The University of Rhode Island slipped in just under the wire with another commitment for its incoming 2022-23 class.
Seton Hall guard Brandon Weston pledged to the Rams via his personal Twitter account. The former consensus top-100 prospect will move to Kingston after appearing in just one game with the Pirates in 2021-22.
Weston is a Brooklyn native who spent part of his high school career in both Chicago and at Hillcrest Prep in Arizona. The physical 6-foot-5-inch sophomore also ran on the Nike grassroots circuit with PSA Cardinals. Weston claimed offers from the likes of Wake Forest, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Michigan, Arizona State, St. John’s, Nebraska, Iowa State and others prior to enrolling at Seton Hall.
Outlook: Time to be patient with URI and Archie Miller
It’s been a long Road for me but I would like to announce I would be attending the university of Rhode Island💙💙💙@RhodyMBB pic.twitter.com/e55UgOVA8f
— Brandon Weston (@BWest233) May 19, 2022
Weston was sidelined due to COVID-19 concerns and both knee and ankle injuries during his freshman year. His lone appearance occurred in a 96-92 loss at DePaul on Jan. 13. Pirates coach Kevin Willard signed a seven-year deal with Maryland after the season and Weston ultimately elected to enter the NCAA transfer portal after initially pledging to remain with Seton Hall and new coach Shaheen Holloway.
Opening the door: PC men's basketball coach Ed Cooley is given the keys to the city of Providence
Weston is the fifth commitment secured by URI coach Archie Miller and the third for assistant coach Duane Woodward. England native Rory Stewart and France native Jeremy Foumena will join the Rams from Orangeville Prep in Canada and were brought in by Woodward, a former Pirates assistant. Kenny Johnson was the lead on George Washington transfer guard Brayon Freeman and Maryland wing Louis Hutchinson.
Weston should retain four years of eligibility at URI. He could apply for a medical redshirt year to replace his lone season at Seton Hall. All five commitments for the Rams could remain on campus for at least three years, fulfilling the vision of building for the long term outlined by Miller at his introductory press conference in March.
A chance to play: Patriots team owner Robert Kraft a 'big fan' of former URI standout Coby Tippett
URI initially retained Jalen Carey, Sebastian Thomas and Abdou Samb after former coach David Cox was fired at the close of the 2021-22 season. Miller persuaded Malik Martin and Ishmael Leggett to exit the transfer portal and continue with the Rams. Ileri Ayo-Faleye (Vermont), Tres Berry (Charleston Southern), Allen Betrand (Rider), Makhi Mitchell (Arkansas), Makhel Mitchell (Arkansas) and Antwan Walker (Bryant) all departed for other programs.
URI is down to three open scholarships and will pick up its pursuit of additional players when the dead period expires on May 28. The Rams welcomed North Carolina transfer guard Anthony Harris for an official visit and have been connected with junior college big man Amadou Traore. URI also brought in Class of 2023 guards Jordan Clayton and Connor Dubsky for recent unofficial visits – the Rams have a host of offers extended to prospects in the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Welcome to Rhode Island: British native Rory Stewart commits to URI men's basketball team
Building his team: Archie Miller lands his first external recruit to URI Rams
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Transfer portal: URI gets Brandon Weston from Seton Hall
