Archie Miller building around core, adding experience to roster ahead of third season in charge

Photo courtesy of Chris Cost-Kirkpatrick

Following a second consecutive first-round exit from the A-10 tournament to conclude what URI head coach Archie Miller called a “disappointment” of a 2023-24 season, the Rams once again experienced high turnover in the offseason as the 2017 A-10 Coach of the Year looks to right the ship in his third year at the helm.

Highlighted by a quartet of transfers with collegiate experience and the return of last year’s America East scoring champion to the Ocean State, here is everything to look forward to as the Rams prepare to open the 2024-25 campaign.

***

The Departures:

Luis Kortright 

Finishing his lone season in Keaney Blue as one of three players to average double-figures through 32 games, Luis Kortright enjoyed a productive season in Kingston last season after spending his first three seasons at Quinnipiac. Starting in all but one appearance for the Rams, the Manhattan native provided veteran experience to a young team that needed direction, finishing the year averaging 10 points and four boards and leading the team with nearly 1,000 minutes on the floor.

Brandon Weston 

Brandon Weston was one of four players who stuck around after Miller’s first season in charge, which was equally as unsuccessful as his second. Showing belief early in the season and fighting for an increased role, the 6’5” guard ended up being one of Rhody’s most dangerous assets off the bench, providing a much-needed spark for a Rams team that at times lacked depth and late-game composure. Averaging nearly 20 minutes per game in 27 appearances and 10 starts, the Seton Hall transfer took his second trip to the portal averaging 5.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in his final season as a Ram.

Kenny Johnson 

One of Rhode Island’s primary recruiters also departed Kingston in the offseason, as assistant coach Kenny Johnson left Archie Miller’s staff to join Ed Cooley at Georgetown. The departure of Johsnon, who was responsible for the commitment of the highly-sought after recruit Ben Hammond, was immediately felt. Hammond, who was a starter for one of the nation’s top high school’s, Paul VI, and had several offers to choose from, decommitted from URI following the announcement that Johsnon would not be returning to Kingston, forcing Archie Miller and his staff to shift their recruitment plans as they continued to build a new team.

The Key Facets:

Javonte Brown

A newcomer that brings much-needed defensive presence and size for Rhode Island on both ends of the ball, Javonte Brown gave Rhode Island fans a taste of what they were so desperately missing in the team’s preseason exhibition vs. UConn. The Western Michigan transfer was the only player to register a double-double against the back-to-back national champions, leading the team with 16 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in 24 minutes on the floor. The 7’0” forward proved difficult to handle in the paint, using his size to his advantage under the rim. Before making his unofficial debut for the Rams, Brown initially started his career at Uconn, spending a season with Dan Hurley’s squad before making 38 appearances in two seasons for Texas A&M, and then spending one season at Western Michigan.

Sebastian Thomas

The Rams will return a familiar face in Sebastian Thomas, who spent his first two collegiate seasons in his home state before enjoying a breakout year in his lone season at Albany in 2023-24. After averaging just over four points per game in his first two years at URI, Thomas led the America East with an average of 19 points last season, leading the conference with 627 points and 218 made field goals, among a number of other offensive categories. Rejuvenated with a newfound confidence and ability on the ball, the senior will return to Kingston to fill the gap at point guard for the Rams, a role that Miller’s team missed last season.

The Dynamic Duo: David Green and Jaden House

In a sea of new faces, Miller returned two of last year’s top scorers for the Rams, maintaining a core of players that will bring offensive power to Kingston. House led the Rams with 451 total points on the season, averaging 14.1 points in 32 starts, while Green’s 14.3 points per game led the team. Although Green was forced to sit for the first half of the season due to NCAA transfer rules, he quickly established himself as one of the team’s main offensive threats, scoring in double-figures in 14 of his 19 total appearances.

***

Season Outlook:

On paper, this team looks better than last year. Archie Miller’s squad was full of talent last year, but lacked defensive maturity and experience, which ultimately spelled its demise at the end of the season. To address that issue, Miller brought in five transfers who have a combined 315 collegiate games under their belt, four of which came from Power Five schools. 

Now, in a team who have been around the block and can hold their own defensively, the question will be whether or not they can gel under Miller in time to make a run at the top teams in the A-10. In terms of size and experience, this team seems capable of breaking the top five or six spots in the A-10, but if we learned anything from last year, it’s that talent doesn't always live up to its billing.