The big news in local college basketball ever since games were halted for precautionary measures due to the COVID-19 virus is that former St. Andrew’s School great Brycen Goodine has transferred from Syracuse University to Providence College.

It’s a decision that most certainly will benefit this young man, one of America’s top basketball recruits a year ago.

Although expectations were high when he enrolled at Syracuse last fall, things really didn’t go his way. Now, it’s on to Friar Town where he hopes to contribute to the up-and-coming PC program. Playing time, hopefully, will be one of the nagging issues that will be rectified.

As for his experience playing for a superpower like Syracuse University, Brycen was pretty complimentary.

“It was definitely an amazing experience,” he was quoted as saying recently. “I loved all the coaches there, all my teammates. I’ll miss them, but I had to get my opportunity. But, traveling and seeing all those A.C.C teams was an awesome experience.    

"I’m excited to announce I will be closer to home to play for Providence College and Coach Cooley, in front of my family & friends,” Brycen continued on his Twitter account, “all while trying to accomplish my dream of winning a National Championship.”

The NEPSAC AA Player of the Year in 2019, Brycen, a 6-foot-3 guard with plenty of speed and determination, should fit in nicely in the Friar backcourt along with juniors David Duke and A.J. Reeves.

Brycen’s career at St. Andrew’s has certainly been well-documented.

Coached by the legendary Mike Hart, Brycen led the Saints to a 25-8 record in 2018-19 as a senior. St. Andrew's won the 2019 New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) Class AA title, and Brycen was the tournament MVP. He was also selected the NEPSAC Class AA Player of the Year after averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.

The Saints won the Governor's Challenge by defeating Central Pointe, 65-59, and Father Henry Carr, 73-57, on consecutive nights. The Saints claimed a road victory at Vermont Academy, 91-87, and Brycen poured in 25 points. In a 79-75 loss to South Kent School, he had 32 points.

St. Andrew’s then defeated Tilton School (N.H.) in the first round of the NEPSAC Tournament, 68-58 with Brycen scoring 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds. In the semifinals, St. Andrew's won against Vermont Academy, 81-69. The Saints defeated Cushing Academy (Mass.) in the title game, 84-72. Brycen had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the game.

The previous season, St. Andrew's was 23-6 in 2017-18 and Brycen was named the Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year. He had a 30-point outburst in a 91-76 victory against Rise Academy at the Zero Gravity Prep Classic, and had another strong showing in the NEPSAC Class AA Showcase, tallying 24 points in a 91-81 win against Vermont Academy.

In his sophomore season at St. Andrew’s, Brycen helped the Saints to a 20-8 campaign.

The chance to play for Coach Jim Boeheim at Syracuse University was certainly one of the factors in Brycen’s initial decision to attend Syracuse. But it was difficult getting playing time with so much other talent on the team, leading to his decision to transfer. He only played in 23 games in 2019-20 and averaged 8.7 minutes and 1.9 points per game.

The son of Jonathan Depina and Tiffany Rodrigues, Brycen was born in New Bedford, Mass. in 1999. He attended Bishop Stang High School in Massachusetts and was a member of the 2016 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division III State Championship team at Bishop Stang. The Spartans were coached by Colby Santos and completed the season with a 19-3 record.

According to a recruiting news report, “Brycen did not receive the press of most top local recruits, likely because he decided to commit to Syracuse at the beginning of his junior year at St. Andrew’s (which was very similar to how another St. Andrew’s star, Michael Carter-Williams, pledged to the Orange his junior year a decade earlier).”

Brycen was one of the best players in NEPSAC’s Class AA during his time at St. Andrew’s — the league that was headlined by AJ Reeves (Brimmer and May), David Duke (Cushing), Marcus Zegarowski (Tilton), and Cole Swider (St. Andrew’s).

With so much on the table now at Providence College, Brycen is determined to make the most of his opportunity next season.