The Oakland men’s basketball program has added a transfer to the 2011 team from Providence College.

Duke Mondy, a 6-foot-3 guard, originally from Grand Rapids, has decided to transfer after two seasons with the Friars.

“I wanted to part ways and come closer to home,” Mondy said. “I just really wanted to come back home.”

Kampe believes Mondy will bring a presence with his size and ability.

“He’s a big, very athletic point guard and he’ll take Reggie (Hamilton’s) place at the point next year,” head coach Greg Kampe said. “Reggie and Val (Laval Lucas Perry) are graduating, so that leaves just Ryan Bass as the only point guard in the program.”

Kampe called the move “a recruiting need” and Mondy’s experience helped the cause.

Mondy was recruited by the Grizzlies out of high school when he played for Grand Rapids Catholic Central, where he averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals his senior year, but chose to join Providence instead.

“We’re taking him as a transfer, he’s from Grand Rapids; we recruited him out of high school and lost him to Providence,” Kampe said. “He was a starter at Providence, I don’t know much about his stats, I know he led the Big East in steals and he’s a good player.”

In his last season at Providence, Mondy averaged 7.7 points and 2.1 steals per game and is ready to make an impact at Oakland.

“I bring a lot,” Mondy said. “I’m an all-around player and I like to play a little defense. I can help with the tradition they already have, continue the tradition of winning and getting back to the NCAA Tournament and represent the school well.”

After some off-court problems, he decided to part ways with Providence.

“He got himself in some trouble, but he was exonerated of everything, his coaches got let go, so the new coaches came in and he decided to come home,” Kampe said.

Due to transferring so late, Mondy will have to sit out this season,  but Kampe has every intention on giving him an opportunity to play.

“We usually don’t bring in transfers that we don’t think can play,” Kampe said. “We think he’s very talented and he’ll have a chance to play a lot for us.”

A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that Coach Greg Kampe stated that Drew Valentine is a graduating senior. Kampe was referring to Laval Lucas-Perry.