The 2024-25 college basketball season in Rhode Island was full of surprises and standout performances. Despite underwhelming seasons from Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, and Brown University, several individual players shined brightly. The All-Rhode Island Men’s College Basketball Team for the 2024-25 season, selected by GoLocal basketball columnists Kevin Stacom, Jim Malachowski, and Robert McMahon, highlights these exceptional talents.
This article delves into the key players and their remarkable contributions to their respective teams.
Providence College: A Season of Struggles and Standouts
Providence College experienced a disappointing season with a Big East record of 6-14. However, individual performances from players like Bensley Joseph, Oswin Erhunmwunse, and Ryan Mela provided some bright spots.
Bensley Joseph: The Friars’ Leading Scorer
Bensley Joseph, a senior, led the Friars with an average of 13.2 points per game. He also tied for the team lead with 101 assists and had eight games where he scored 20 or more points.
Joseph transferred to Providence after three years at the University of Miami and became a key player for the team.
Freshman Sensations: Oswin Erhunmwunse and Ryan Mela
Freshmen Oswin Erhunmwunse and Ryan Mela were both named to the Big East All-Freshman Team. Erhunmwunse, a power forward from Nigeria, averaged 6.8 points and led the team with 5.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Mela, known for his steady performance, averaged 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
University of Rhode Island: Sebastian Thomas Steals the Show
The University of Rhode Island had a challenging season with a 7-11 record in the A-10 Conference. Despite the team’s struggles, Sebastian Thomas emerged as a standout player.
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Sebastian Thomas: The Local Hero
Providence native Sebastian Thomas returned to URI after a year at the University at Albany and became the Rams’ leading scorer with 14.4 points per game, ranking 6th in the A-10.
He also led the conference in assists with 6 per game and steals with 2.2 per game. Thomas’ bold and swaggering play, along with his last-minute heroics, made him a fan favorite.
David Green: The Reliable Captain
Senior forward David Green was the team captain and a consistent performer for URI. He appeared in 28 games, all starts, and ranked 3rd in the A-10 for three-point shooting percentage at 43.1%.
Green was second on the team in scoring with 14.2 points per game and contributed significantly in rebounds and blocks.
Sixth Man: David Fuchs
Sophomore David Fuchs, who left a budding professional career in Europe to join URI, played a crucial role off the bench. He averaged 7.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, ranking 4th in the A-10 in rebounds despite limited playing time.
Brown University: Kino Lilly Jr. and Landon Lewis Shine
Brown University also faced a tough season with a 6-8 record in the Ivy League. However, players like Kino Lilly Jr. and Landon Lewis delivered exceptional performances.
Kino Lilly Jr.: A Historic Achievement
Senior Kino Lilly Jr. was named First Team All-Ivy for the third consecutive season, becoming the fourth player in Brown’s history to achieve this feat. He is the first player in program history to make over 300 three-pointers and ranks fifth in career points per game with an average of 16.6.
Landon Lewis: The Breakout Star
Junior forward Landon Lewis had a breakout year, becoming the team’s second-leading scorer with 13.7 points per game and leading the team in rebounds with 6.8 per game.
Bryant University: The Overachievers
Bryant University was the standout team in Rhode Island this season, overperforming and earning an NCAA bid with a 14-2 record in the America East Conference. Key players like Earl Timberlake and Rafael Pinzon played pivotal roles in the team’s success.
Earl Timberlake: America East Player of the Year
Washington, D.C. native Earl Timberlake was named America East Player of the Year after averaging 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game.
Timberlake, a three-time All-America East selection, recorded 31 career double-doubles and was instrumental in Bryant’s historic season.
Rafael Pinzon: The Scoring Leader
Rafael Pinzon, who transferred from St. John’s, led Bryant in scoring with an average of 18.5 points per game. His leadership and scoring ability were key factors in Bryant’s successful season.
Phil Martelli, Jr.: The Coach Behind the Success
Phil Martelli, Jr. took over as Bryant’s head coach in November 2023. He led the team to its first No. 1 seed and outright regular-season championship since joining the America East Conference.
Under his guidance, Bryant achieved its first-ever victory over a top-10 team, defeating No. 10 FAU in Boca Raton.
The 2024-25 season may not have gone as expected for some of Rhode Island’s college basketball teams. But it was marked by remarkable individual performances and the rise of Bryant University as a formidable force.
For more details on the All-Rhode Island Men’s College Basketball Team, visit the official GoLocalProv page.
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