Providence College Retains Key Basketball Player for Next Season

New coach Bryan Hodgson cites Ryan Mela's character and discipline as reasons for keeping him on the team.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college basketball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the team's official colors.The return of a key player like Ryan Mela provides stability and experience for Providence College's men's basketball team as they adapt to a new coaching regime.Providence Today

Providence College has announced that Ryan Mela, a small forward who averaged 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, will return to the men's basketball program for his junior year. This comes as the college introduces its new head coach, Bryan Hodgson, who cited Mela's character and discipline as key factors in the decision to retain him on the roster for the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

Retaining key players is crucial for a college basketball program looking to build momentum and continuity under a new head coach. Mela's return provides stability and experience that can help the team adapt to Hodgson's vision and coaching style.

The details

Ryan Mela, a small forward, will return to the Providence College men's basketball team for his junior season after appearing in all 33 games last year. Several other Providence players have announced their intention to enter the transfer portal, making Mela's decision to stay an important one for the program.

  • Mela will return for the 2026-27 season.

The players

Ryan Mela

A small forward who averaged 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for Providence College last season.

Bryan Hodgson

The new head coach of the Providence College men's basketball team, who cited Mela's character and discipline as reasons for retaining him on the roster.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We felt he embodied the character and discipline that we are looking for in building our roster for the 2026-27 season.”

— Bryan Hodgson, Head Coach, Providence College Men's Basketball

The takeaway

Retaining a key player like Ryan Mela provides stability and experience for the Providence College men's basketball team as they transition to a new head coach. Mela's character and discipline were cited as important factors in the decision, signaling the new coach's focus on building a program with the right culture and values.