Providence coach Tim Welsh and the Friars have ushered in the New Year in big fashion. After upsetting Top 25 teams Purdue and Pittsburgh in the last week, sources told The Post that former LaSalle Academy star Karim Shabazz has committed to transfer to Providence.
Shabazz, a 7-foot center averaged 9.2 points and eight rebounds in five games this season for Florida State. But he decided to leave Tallahasee to be closer to his mother, Khair, who has had some medical problems the past year.
Initially it was assumed that Shabazz was a lock to transfer to St. John’s. He attended the Red Storm’s game against Fordham last week. But Shabazz attended the Friars’ 87-82 upset of Purdue on Sunday and, according to sources, was pleasantly surprised at how close Providence is to the metropolitan area.