4-star SF Javon Bardwell, former Kansas commit, picks Providence

After decommitting from Kansas earlier this month, four-star small forward Javon Bardwell has now committed to Providence, he told Rivals.

After reopening his recruitment, the 6-foot-6 native of Harlem, New York, also reclassified from the 2027 class into 2026.

Bardwell is now ranked No. 36 overall in the 2026 class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, after previously being ranked inside the top 20 in 2027.

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This summer, playing with Compton Magic on the adidas 3SSB Circuit, Bardwell averaged 20.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

He becomes Providence’s second high school commitment this offseason under new head coach Bryan Hodgson, joining three-star small forward Clyde Walters.

The Friars also bring in a loaded transfer portal haul that includes Georgetown guard Malik Mack, Northwestern power forward Arrinten Page, Florida Atlantic guard Devin Vanterpool, San Diego State wing Miles Byrd, South Florida guard Gavin Hightower, Buffalo guard Ryan Sabol, Yale center Samson Aletan, and UNLV power forward Jacob Bannarbie.

However, arguably the Friars’ biggest pickup this offseason came in former G League guard Dink Pate, who averaged 17.3 points per game for the Westchester Knicks.

Rivals’ national recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw provided the following scouting report on Bardwell:

“Javon Bardwell plays his best when the game opens up and players get up and down. He is able to just hoop, and when that happens, Bardwell is able to be a shot maker. He can find space on the court and he can rise up to knock down shots from different levels. Bardwell is a solid athlete, nice fluidity, with positional size and length. He moves well off ball and he attacks spots in the mid range areas.”