Providence big bound for James Madison

We can see the smile on Kenny Brooks' face already.

Rising junior Lauren Okafor, a 6-3 forward from Providence College, is transferring to James Madison, according to a story from Wednesday's New Haven Register.

Okafor reportedly made the decision after Friars coach Phil Seymore stepped down at the end of the season. Ranked the 23rd best power forward in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz in 2010, Okafor played in 28 games for the Friars as a sophomore with 24 starts. She averaged 4.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, blocking 35 shots, a single season career mark at Providence. As a freshman, Okafor started 27 of 29 games, recording 26 blocks along with 3.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg. She was named to the Big East All-Freshman team.

At New Haven's Hopkins Prep, the third oldest independent school in the nation dating back to 1660, Okafor averaged 18.1 ppg, 18 rpg and 2.5 bpg.

Okafor, who will have to sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer rules, will have two years of eligibility at JMU.

We bet Brooks can hardly wait.