Josh Fortune Commits to Colorado, Questions Linger on PC Departure

Josh Fortune Commits to Colorado, Questions Linger on PC Departure

Former Providence College basketball player Josh Fortune has committed to Colorado, closing the book on a puzzling transfer process after his abrupt departure from the program at PC.

Fortune left the program in May, and he didn't give many reasons for his decision to move on.  There were rumblings that Fortune wanted to play closer to home in Virginia, but his decision to take his talents to Colorado indicate proximity to home wasn't a huge factor.

Playing time didn't seem to be an issue either.  Fortune averaged 33 minutes per game last season as Ed Cooley and the Friars battled depth concerns all season. Entering his junior year, Fortune was expected to be one of the key returning players for PC.

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Winning wasn't an issue, as the Friars won the Big East Tournament last season and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004.  The Friars lost a few key pieces from last year's team (notably Bryce Cotton and Kadeem Batts), but optimism around the Friars' program is at it's highest point in years, if not decades.

So why the decision to leave? Fortune's mother Angela told The Daily Press "Honestly, it was for professional reasons. He believes it's in his best interest to transfer to find, in his words, 'an environment conducive to my academic, athletic and social growth.'"

Fortune will have to sit out next season due to NCAA rules but will have 2 seasons of eligibility, remaining starting with the 2015-16 season.  His departure leaves the Friars' backcourt in a state of flux, and it leaves those who followed the story scratching their heads.