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| Sanchez returns after playing with the DR National Team |
Looking to bolster a great recruiting haul with much-needed frontcourt help, Ed Cooley and his staff have hosted a number of highly sought-after big men this fall. Next season’s lineup projects to have plenty of scoring options, but still lacks a true defensive presence in the paint.
Last weekend, Junior College Honorable Mention All American Orlando Sanchez visited Providence for Late Night Madness. A 6’8, 215 pound shot blocker from the Dominican Republic, Sanchez was highly productive in his first season at Monroe College, averaging over 4 blocks per game (good for third in the country at the JUCO level) and nearly 12 rebounds for a 31-5 squad.
He was a key cog in Monroe’s run to the Junior College Final Four, being named to the all-tournament team after averaging 10 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game, while shooting 15 for 21 from the field.
Jeff Brustad, Sanchez’s head coach at Monroe, noted, “He’s highly skilled and plays with a high motor. Orlando is 6’8, 215 lbs, and plays both the four and three positions. Defensively, he was in the top five in rebounding and blocks in the country, and he runs the floor very well and attacks the rim.”
Brustad shared that Providence assistant Brian Blaney has been leading the staff’s recruitment of Sanchez, who plans to sign during the spring signing period, according to his coach. While reports circulated that Sanchez had formed a final list, Brustad said otherwise.
“He currently does not have a list; however, the schools involved include Providence, Rhode Island, Southern Illinois, Cincinnati, Baylor, UMass, West Virginia, LSU and Texas A&M. There may be others that I’m forgetting off of the top of my head too.”
Cooley has been preaching family since taking over at Providence, and one of the newest members of the Friar family built a bond with Sanchez on his visit to PC. “Orlando’s unofficial went well. He had a great conversation with Coach Cooley’s wife [Nurys], who is also from the Dominican Republic, and he really enjoyed his visit to the Dunkin Donuts Center.”
This summer, Sanchez played for the Dominican National team under John Calipari, as the country attempted to make it to the Olympics for the first time ever. Led by Al Horford, they fell just short of their goal, placing third in the FIBA Americas tournament in Argentina after losing to Brazil in the semi-finals.
The experience was a positive one for Sanchez, whose coach saw a spike in confidence upon returning from the trip.
“His experience this summer was tremendous. Not only did Orlando have the opportunity to play for one of the top coaches in college basketball, but he played for his country. From a basketball point of view, he was able to play against top-level competition, and his confidence and productivity have grown immensely since returning.”
Now that he’s in his second season with the program, expectations will be higher from Brustad. “Like any returning player, certain expectations are a given. Aspects like more leadership, maturity and mentorship to newcomers are all expected, but in general, I expect him to improve in all areas this season.”
With interest from a variety of schools from the mid-major to power conferences, the recruitment of Sanchez could change dramatically come next spring depending upon how he performs at Monroe this season. According to Adam Zagoria, Monroe finished last season ranked third in the country and enters this one ranked fifth by The Sporting News.
Rhode Island may have an advantage with Sanchez, as current URI assistant Preston Murphy played with Monroe assistant Brock Erickson under Al Skinner at URI in the 90s. And while Calipari and Kentucky have reportedly shown interest in Sanchez, they have yet to offer a scholarship. UMass head coach Derek Kellogg played for Calipari for the Minutemen. Could the Calipari/Kellogg relationship help there?
A number of Monroe student-athletes have transitioned to the Division 1 level. Former Friar Kyle Wright played there, while the school has sent others to South Carolina, Maryland, Oregon, Utah, St. John’s, Houston, Southern Illinois and a number of other D1 schools over the past decade.
Wherever Sanchez ends up, Brustad believes he will be a good fit, “Orlando is a great kid. Since arriving on campus last year, he quickly became one of the more popular kids on campus – not only with the student population, but with professors and administrators as well. This is a student-athlete that every program would want.”
