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Bryant men’s and women’s basketball programs see new commits coming to Smithfield

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Bryant men’s and women’s basketball programs see new commits coming to Smithfield

Bryant made the majority of last week’s college basketball news both in the transfer portal and on its coaching staffs. 

Three new hires and two incoming players highlighted the latest pack of Bulldogs that will begin in Smithfield for the 2024-25 season. Providence’s men produced perhaps the top headline, with Garwey Dual announcing his commitment to Big East rival Seton Hall. 

We’re nearly three months out from when the portal cracked open in mid-March — there are considerably fewer chairs and the music is fading fast. Players who fail to secure spots shortly could be looking at a change in level — or, perhaps, no immediate basketball future. 

Here are some updates from the last week:

Bryant women — Gadson Lefft, Reilly Howard, Brielle Williams 

Lefft and Howard come to the Bulldogs from America East rival Maine and George Washington, respectively. They’ll both serve as assistant coaches — Lefft adds the title of recruiting coordinator and Howard will function as director of basketball operations. 

More: The college transfer portal remains active; who’s coming, who’s going

Lefft played for three different schools during her career, including a graduate season with the Black Bears. Her sideline stops included Army and a return to Maine — she helped the Black Bears capture a league title in 2023-24.

“She hails from a strong lineage of winning programs both as a player and coach,” Bryant coach Lynne-Ann Kokoski said in a statement. “She is a great relationship builder and will spearhead our recruiting efforts to help us push to the top of the America East.” 

Howard was a five-year student manager at Florida State, earning a pair of degrees from the Seminoles. She was a graduate assistant with the Revolutionaries last season and will handle the majority of logistics for the Bulldogs. 

“She has been associated with some very good programs and understands how to operate at a high level,” Kokoski said. 

Lefft and Howard join associate head coach Cristina Centeno and assistant coach Sarah Assante. Centeno was promoted from assistant coach earlier in the offseason. Kokoski will be looking to build on a 15-15 debut at her alma mater. 

Williams is a scoring guard who left league rival New Hampshire with two seasons of eligibility remaining. She started in 50 of 56 games over two seasons with the Wildcats, averaging 8.6 points, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals.  

“She brings a strong knowledge of the America East, and her experience at the guard spot will help elevate this team right away,” Kokoski said. 

Williams is an Ohio native and the fifth transfer to pledge to Bryant this offseason. Ali Brigham (Penn State), Jada Leonard (Saint Peter’s), Maranda Nyborg (Fordham) and Mimi Rubino (Fairfield) were already in the fold. The Bulldogs will lose fifth-year frontcourt star Mariona Planes Fortuny (George Washington) but have made what they otherwise consider roster upgrades across the board. 

Bryant men — Devean Williams, Ryan Daly 

Williams joins the Bulldogs after two seasons at Canisius and Daly will work with his second member of the same coaching family — the first time on the floor, this second time on the bench. 

Williams played in 36 games over two seasons and made all 10 of his starts last year with the Golden Griffins, averaging 7.4 points and collecting 31 steals. He hit double figures 10 times, including in each of his last seven games. Williams totaled 20 points against Mount St. Mary’s and comes to Bryant with two years of eligibility remaining. 

Earl Timberlake and Rafael Pinzon both elected to stay with the Bulldogs after entering the transfer portal. Williams joins Barry Evans (St. Bonaventure), Kam Farris (Marist) and Jakai Robinson (Miami) among the expected newcomers. 

Daly spent the last two seasons at conference rival Albany and will work alongside associate head coach Chris Cole, assistant coach Brendan Phelps and Max Greenwald, the advanced scouting and analytics liaison. Daly played for Phil Martelli at Saint Joseph’s and will now combine with his son, Phil Martelli Jr. 

“He was a relentless worker as a player and has continued that into his young coaching career,” Martelli Jr. said. “Ryan truly eats, sleeps and breathes the game.”   

bkoch@providencejournal.com 

On X: @BillKoch25 

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