Sports

Harlem’s Johnson transfers to Providence; Hofstra lands Fresno State big man

Sidiki Johnson is coming east – but not to St. John’s.

The talented Harlem native has opted to transfer to Providence College and play for head man Ed Cooley, his Godfather Bernard Bowen said.

“It’s closer to home and it’s a good school and the coaching staff are great guys,” Bowen said.

Johnson, who spent time at St. Raymond, St. Benedict’s Prep and Oak Hill during his high school years, was averaging 0.3 points and 0.7 rebounds in three games with Arizona this season before opting to transfer in December. The talented 6-foot-8 forward will be part of a talented team next year as elite recruits Ricky Ledo of South Kent (Conn.) and Kris Dunn of New London (Conn.) are already in the fold.

“From a basketball standpoint, that always plays a part, but it wasn’t a factor,” Bowen said. “It was about him being in a situation where he is surrounded by good guys who relate well to young men.”

Hofstra lands Fresno State transfer from Brooklyn: Hofstra will have a loaded deck next year. The Pride landed 6-foot-10 forward Daquan Brown, a transfer from Fresno State, Hofstra coach Mo Cassara said. Hofstra hopes to have him eligible in the fall, granted a waiver for family issues is approved. He reportedly left Fresno in December because of personal reasons.

The Brooklyn product with two years of eligibility sepnt the last two years at Barstow College (Calif.) and averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks as a sophomore. He will join transfers Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (UConn) and Taran Buie (Penn State) along with former Long Island Lutheran standout Jordan Allen, who is redshirting, and incoming recruits Dallas Anglin of Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) and Jimmy Hall, a Brooklyn native at St. Anthony (N.J.).

zbraziller@nypost.com