Throughout the summer, GoRhody.com will run a weekly feature series introducing the members of the 2025-26 Men's Basketball team. The series will focus on their respective basketball journeys.

KINGSTON, R.I. - Freshman forward Javon Perry puts a lot of faith into relationships. Whether it is the football coach who encouraged him to choose a path, the coaches who made Rhode Island his destination, or the grandfather who taught him the value of hard work, Perry leans into the relationships that have shaped him.

It's a journey that started later for Perry, who goes by the moniker Slim. Originally focused on football while at Springfield Central in Massachusetts, Perry was a standout wide receiver.

"I played basketball one year when I was in first grade, but that was it until 10th grade," Perry said. "I went into high school wanting to play football, with the goal of playing college football. Basketball was more of something I picked up along the way. Our football coach wanted us to play other sports in the winter and spring. In the winter, we could play basketball, and in the spring I ran track."

Perry said he was not very athletic until the summer heading into his junior year of high school.

"I really blossomed from a physical standpoint, and it really increased my athleticism," Perry said. "That's when basketball really grew on me. I started blocking everything, and the game really got fun for me. That's when basketball took over within me.

"It is fun to take shots out of the air from an opponent. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but if I can block a shot and have the ball go directly to one of my teammates, it is a boost. Those are the moments I know we can turn defense into offense."

As his love for basketball grew, so did an internal conflict. Perry was torn between football and basketball, so he turned to his wide receivers coach at Springfield Central, Rishawn Harris. Harris had played collegiately at New Haven, and the two had a bond that Perry trusted.

"He is really big on respect and paying attention to detail," Perry said. "I wouldn't call him a strict coach, but when you were off task, he was going to call you on it. I felt a lot of similarities between him and (Rhode Island assistant coach) Austin Carroll, who I got to know during the recruiting process. It wasn't necessarily a player-coach type of feeling. It was man-to-man conversations. Coach Harris was family to me, so getting that familiar feeling was important."

It was Harris who told Perry to trust his instinct and decide which sport would be the best fit for his future. 

"I had a talk with him, and I said, 'I am between two sports, and I don't know what to do,'" Perry said. "He said, 'It is really hard for people to play two sports and be great at both of them. Choose one to be great at. At the end of the day, focus on training on one sport.' I didn't pick automatically. I took the time to think about it. The more I thought about it, the more opportunities I saw in basketball."

Following his career at Springfield Central, Perry decided to do a prep year at the MacDuffie School. The extra year allowed him to further develop his skillset on the court.

"Coming into basketball so late and only have a couple years of it under my belt, taking the prep year helped," Perry said. "I was a super raw talent, playing with athleticism. The extra year helped me put it all together more and become a true basketball player. It was a chance to develop the skills that I can use here."

Perry participated in the NEPSAC showcase, which is where Rhode Island first took notice of the 6-8 forward. As he got to know Carroll and head coach Archie Miller, Perry found what he was looking for.

"They were pretty heavy on me, and when I finally came here last August, I liked how they ran practice," Perry said. "Coach Miller is a very stern coach, and having a strict coach is something I know I need. It's something that I like, having a coach that is always on top of you. Austin Carroll was the lead recruiter, and he was consistently communicating with texts and calls. He was very easy to talk to.

"When I came on my visit, I got to see the way the team worked out and played at a fast pace. It was something I felt I could excel in. For my height and my position, I am fast. When I came back in October, seeing what is possible with the environment and the energy from the fans, it was a pretty done deal for me after that."

When he arrived for the summer sessions, Perry roomed with fellow freshmen Barrett Loer and Jalen Harper.

"Barrett and I were actually supposed to play on the same AAU team, but I wound up choosing a different team," Perry said. "When I got here and he had committed to Rhode Island, we stayed in contact from that point on. He and I have become pretty close.

"I didn't know as much about Jalen. We all played in the same league, but Jalen was in a division higher than me and Barrett. I didn't really get to know him as a person until we got here. He has been super cool and we clicked automatically. We have become a good trio right away. There is a lot of chemistry there between us.

"It is actually surprising to see how quickly you can click and get close. It's a major reason why the transition to Rhode Island has felt so warm and welcoming. I don't feel uncomfortable or alone at all. I've felt like myself right from the start. We all can relate in some way, and that helps."

Relationships have always been at the root of Perry's life. Growing up in Springfield, he had a role model in his grandfather, John. His grandfather was a carpenter who put blood, sweat and tears into the homes he worked on.

"He has taught me a lot. When I was younger, I would hop in the van with him and go to most of his jobs," Perry said. "I'd sit and watch to see how he worked. Being around him was just a beautiful experience. He took care of me while he taught me about work ethic."

His grandfather also taught Perry the importance of patience. The things he got as a child, he earned.

"I had a Nintendo DSi, and he was the one who got most of my games for me," Perry said. "I remember one time I asked him for Mario Kart, and he was like, 'Nah, I can't get it for you.' I was like, 'That's cool. It's okay.' He gave me so much, so if he said he couldn't, I understood. Later that same day, he called me down to the living room, and he had it in a little bag for me. That was a core memory for me, most definitely. He is a good man who has always treated me nice."

Perry returns the favor these days, helping his grandfather around the house whenever he is home.

"I really like to take care of people, especially people who are unable to take care of themselves," Perry said. "I have my grandfather at home, and I help sometimes around the house. There are certain things that he can't do on his own, so I like to be there for him."

There is a thoughtful approach to Perry in life, and it seeps into his approach on the court. When he talks about the aspects of the game he is working on this summer, Perry offers a macro approach. 

"In terms of basketball, I want to continuously improve my game IQ. Knowing when to cut and how to fill certain positions with my off-ball movement," Perry said. "I want to be better about being more aggressive in the paint and playing above the rim. I want to work on my overall understanding of the game at this level so I can become a well-rounded, skilled player in all areas."

Check back on Tuesday, Aug. 19 for a feature on guard Jimmy Ball. To order tickets for the 2025-26 Men's Basketball Season, click here.


Summer Series
6/12 - Hinton Brings Strategic Mind to Rhody
6/19 - Johnson Leads With the Spirit of the Wolf
6/26 - Itejere Offers Explosive Presence in the Paint
7/1 - Cochran's Versatile Production An Asset
7/3 - Tripp Ready To Work For Rams
7/10 - Early Patience Allowed Sow's Game To Grow
7/15 - Corey Brings Electric Ability to Backcourt
7/17 - Crawford's Reset Made The Game Fun Again
7/24 - Traore is the Glue for Rhody
7/31 - Redshirt Season Has King Prepped for Impact
8/5 - After Whirlwind First Season, Icke Settling In
8/7 - Loer Has Tools To Contribute Right Away
8/12 - Position Change Helps Harper See Whole Game