First class
Jalen Lindsey's graduation from Providence College signals a family first that has father Walter, a Woonsocket native, overjoyed
Graduating college is a major accomplishment for anyone, but for Providence College grad Jalen Lindsey, it was a family milestone.
PROVIDENCE – Jalen Lindsey appeared in 63 games at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center during his four-year Providence College basketball career. That means he heard his name announced over The Dunk’s loudspeaker countless times.
On Sunday, Lindsey was once again at the Friars’ downtown home. This time he wasn’t dressed in basketball gear, but the attire befitting a college graduate.
When PC President Rev. Brian J. Shanley called for the conferring of degrees, Lindsey says he was overcome by an immense feeling of fulfillment.
Once "Jalen Dontae Lindsey" was read aloud, he stepped onto the stage, walked across it, and shook hands with a few dignitaries before acknowledging family members in attendance.
Hearing his full name called while wearing a cap and gown, and in the same building where he swished three-pointers and grabbed rebounds, was a most fitting epitaph. The degree in social science was all the proof Lindsey required. That important piece of paper told him that he had officially made it.
“Knowing I was getting my name called to go up on that stage was a satisfying feeling. To me, it was a bigger accomplishment than basketball,” Lindsey said. “It was so surreal graduating in The Dunk. To know that I used to play on that court in front of thousands of fans … I wouldn’t want to graduate in any other place. I loved it. Greatest experience ever.”
What made Sunday’s 100th commencement exercise in PC history extra sweet was that for the Lindsey family, Jalen became a first-generation college graduate.
“It means a lot. If I lose anything in life, I know I can’t lose my degree. I got it and earned it. When the basketball stops dribbling, I have something to fall back on,” said Lindsey, those words coming Monday as he packed up his dorm gear and waited for his father Walter to pick him up for the afternoon flight they would be taking home to Murfreesboro, Tenn.
“Coach (Ed) Cooley made a promise to my parents when I was getting recruited, saying, ‘I promise he’ll graduate.’ He held through with that promise.”
Walter Lindsey was born in Woonsocket and graduated from the city’s public high school in 1985.
"If I lose anything in life, I know I can't lose my degree, I got it and earned it." – Jalen Lindsey
He briefly attended Rhode Island College but due to work commitments and relocating from Rhode Island to Tennessee, the pursuit of a college education was placed on hold.
Like all parents, Walter and his wife Sandra always drove home the importance of education to Jalen. Walter has been with General Motors for some time, yet he always made it a point to tell Jalen that a college degree can open a lot more doors than the ability to make waves on the basketball court.
“It sets an example for his younger brother (Zavien) and the rest of his cousins. This is really big for the family,” Walter Lindsey said. “We’ve always told him the blessing is the opportunity to get a free education. Nobody can take that from you.”
The true finishing touch of Jalen Lindsey’s college journey might be the degree, yet he was also smack-dab in the middle of an impressive four-year Friar basketball stretch that featured an NCAA Tournament appearance each season. He agreed with the time-tested adage of leaving a place a little bit better than you found it, and that’s certainly true of a Providence program that’s strung together five straight NCAA berths.
A run of NCAA appearances that started under Bryce Cotton’s watch and continued with LaDontae Henton, Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil wasn’t going to get interrupted as long as Lindsey still had eligibility remaining. Now that he’s crossed over to the young alumni sector, Lindsey’s zest to see the Friars continue their consecutive association with the sport’s marquee event remains unabashed.
“I wanted to keep it status quo because that’s what guys like LaDontae and Kris planted inside of us,” Lindsey said. “I think the younger guys will bring it to a higher level. We’ve got a bright future in Providence.”
Through all the 20-win seasons, the national rankings, playing with teammates who would go on to hear their names called in the NBA Draft, and beating Villanova during the Wildcats’ run to the national championship in 2016 and again this past season, Lindsey has his pick of the litter when it comes to team-oriented accomplishments in a Providence uniform. Individually, he had his moments where everything clicked, and other times when there appeared to be a lid on the rim.
From purely a basketball standpoint, what Lindsey will remember the most is having the full backing of a community that he can now say he had the privilege of calling home these past four years.
“The support and the love that I got, from school administrators to the team managers … people always had my back,” said Lindsey, who ended up a career 37.1 percent three-point shooter with the Friars. “There were fans who gave up on me after my freshman and sophomore years, but there were people who were still firmly in my corner. That kept me going and proving that I deserve to be here.”
There is a basketball bond that Lindsey will forever share with fellow 2018 PC graduates Rodney Bullock, Kyron Cartwright and Tom Planek.
“That’s the group I went to four straight NCAA Tournaments with,” Lindsey said. “We grinded and sacrificed for each other. It was surreal seeing them walk across the stage, knowing they accomplished the same thing I did. I’m happy for them and excited for their futures."
For Lindsey, the goal is to sign with an agency by month’s end. His cousin, former Syracuse star Brandon Triche, had played overseas for teams in Italy, Israel, and Greece, and has offered Lindsey tips and guidance on what avenue he should pursue.
“Basketball is something I love to do and I’m going to keep on playing until my knees give out,” Lindsey said with a smile. “Whether it’s overseas or in the (NBA’s) G-League, hopefully I can make a big impact on that stage and see what happens.”
Lindsey plans to return to Providence in early June for workouts. Like Henton and Bentil did in the past, he has officially crossed over into that realm with this past weekend’s college graduation. Now, Lindsey gets to play that same role with returnees Alpha Diallo and Nate Watson.
“Now I get to come back like LaDontae and Ben and visit the guys. Now I’m in their position,” Lindsey said. “It’s a surreal feeling.”