On July 11, Olivia Rodrigues announced her commitment to play college basketball at Providence. It was a monumental day for the 6-foot 2025 wing from Dennis Port, Mass. — and it came a bit earlier than expected.
Rodrigues, a NEPSAC AA All-Star at Tabor last season, had planned to officially visit Providence in August. The Friars were already leading her recruitment and she loved the fit, but wanted to make sure she didn't leave any potential offers on the table during the July live period.
Then Rodrigues started to see other talented players committing to Providence. First it was Maryland native Princess-Alexandria Moody announcing her choice that Tuesday, July 9. Then Virginia's Riley Hamburger committed the next day. Providence now had only two scholarship slots available, and likely only one for Rodrigues's position. She saw the talent pooling and decided to jump in.
"In seeing that, Princess Moody and Riley Hamburger, who are two very, very good players, also committed, it was just promising, just to know that I could be a part of that, and really change and make a big impact on the school," Rodrigues said.