🏀 Full-Circle Moment: Providence Legend Ryan Gomes Returns Home as Assistant Coach
In a heartwarming development for the Providence Friars basketball community, former PC superstar Ryan Gomes has officially returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team.
Gomes, a Connecticut native, etched his name into Friar history during his time at Providence. He scored 2,138 career points—setting a school record—and became one of only two players in school history to record over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. A two-time First Team All-Big East selection and a 2004 first-team All-American, Gomes helped lead the Friars to the NCAA Tournament and quickly became one of the most beloved players in program history.
Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2005, Gomes went on to have an eight-year NBA career, averaging over 10 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game. He was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
Since retiring, Gomes has found success in the coaching and basketball development world, working with the Long Island Nets, Overtime Elite, and most recently as a player development coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. His return to Providence represents a powerful full-circle moment—one that has energized the fan base and current roster alike.
“This is home,” Gomes said in a press release. “I’ve always carried Friartown with me wherever I went. Now I get to help shape the next generation of Friars. That means everything.”
Head coach Kim English welcomed Gomes with open arms, calling him “a natural leader and a Friar through and through.”
With Gomes back in the fold, Providence fans have even more to be excited about heading into the new season. For many, seeing a hometown hero return to guide the next wave of players isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a dream come true.
