Troy University Athletics
Scott Cross Finalizes Men's Basketball Signing Class
5/23/2019 2:17:00 PM | Basketball (M)
Troy, Ala. – Troy men's basketball 2019-20 signing class has been finalized as announced by head coach Scott Cross on Thursday afternoon.
The Trojans signed a total of six athletes – two high school graduates and four junior college transfers.
Desmond Williams
Guard | 6-1 | Brewbaker Tech High School
Williams averaged 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game in his senior campaign at Brewbaker Tech. In his first game this season, Williams posted a triple double in 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
"Desmond is a high-level PG that will make us better," Cross said. "I think that he will be one of the top freshmen in the entire Sun Belt next season."
Nicholas Stampley
Forward | 6-6 | Eastern Florida State College
Stampley, a native of Pompano Beach, Fla., comes from Eastern Florida State College where he averaged 10.1 points and 7.0 rebounds this past season, helping the Titans to a 28-8 overall record. After a stellar season Stampley is ranked as the No. 20 junior college prospect by 247sports.com.
"We want winners in our program and Nick is a winner," Cross said. "Nick epitomizes the definition of an "OKG: Our Kinda Guy". He will do whatever it takes to win a basketball game."
Jakevan Leftridge
Forward | 6-6 | Wilmer-Hutchins High School
Leftridge posted a stellar senior season as he finished the year averaging 18.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. At the end of the season, Leftridge was named the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 4A Player of the Year and is ranked as the 37th best player in Texas by Mike Kunstadt of Texas Basketball Review.
"He is a 6-foot-6, long, athletic wing that can defend and score at all three levels," Cross said. "His length helps him get deflections on defense, but his passing ability is probably the thing that impresses me the most about him."
Khalyl Waters
Forward | 6-6 | Georgia Highlands College
Waters averaged 18.3 points per game, second-most on the team and third in conference while shooting 51.5 percent from the field. After a stellar 2018-19 season, Waters was named to the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) First Team in addition to earning a spot on the GCAA All-Defensive Team and the GCAA All-Tournament Team.
"Waters is extremely athletic, and he can really score the basketball," Cross said. "He is a very versatile player that will be able to play multiple positions for us."
Jitarious Gordon
Guard | 6-1 | Northwest Mississippi Community College
Gordon is a high-level scoring guard that led the team and conference averaging 20.6 points per contest on 47.5 percent shooting. At the end of the season, Gordon was tabbed All-Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges First Team and secured a spot on the NJCAA All-Region 23 Team.
"Gordon is tough and can really badger the ball defensively," Cross said. "He shoots the three-ball extremely well too, so opposing team will have to respect his shot."
Tahj Small
Guard | 6-5 | Moberly Area Community College
Native of Durham, N.C., the 6-foot-5 guard averaged the third-highest scoring output on the team at 14.3 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting from the field. Small is a deep threat as well as he shot 40.6 percent from behind the arc on a team-high 93 three-pointers made.
"Small is a very efficient basketball player who will help our perimeter shooting and rebounding," Cross said. "Small will also help our versatility because he can play multiple positions because due to his length and skill level."
For more information on Troy men's basketball follow along on Twitter at @TroyTrojansMBB and on Instagram at @troymenshoops.
The Trojans signed a total of six athletes – two high school graduates and four junior college transfers.
Desmond Williams
Guard | 6-1 | Brewbaker Tech High School
Williams averaged 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game in his senior campaign at Brewbaker Tech. In his first game this season, Williams posted a triple double in 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
"Desmond is a high-level PG that will make us better," Cross said. "I think that he will be one of the top freshmen in the entire Sun Belt next season."
Nicholas Stampley
Forward | 6-6 | Eastern Florida State College
Stampley, a native of Pompano Beach, Fla., comes from Eastern Florida State College where he averaged 10.1 points and 7.0 rebounds this past season, helping the Titans to a 28-8 overall record. After a stellar season Stampley is ranked as the No. 20 junior college prospect by 247sports.com.
"We want winners in our program and Nick is a winner," Cross said. "Nick epitomizes the definition of an "OKG: Our Kinda Guy". He will do whatever it takes to win a basketball game."
Jakevan Leftridge
Forward | 6-6 | Wilmer-Hutchins High School
Leftridge posted a stellar senior season as he finished the year averaging 18.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. At the end of the season, Leftridge was named the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 4A Player of the Year and is ranked as the 37th best player in Texas by Mike Kunstadt of Texas Basketball Review.
"He is a 6-foot-6, long, athletic wing that can defend and score at all three levels," Cross said. "His length helps him get deflections on defense, but his passing ability is probably the thing that impresses me the most about him."
Khalyl Waters
Forward | 6-6 | Georgia Highlands College
Waters averaged 18.3 points per game, second-most on the team and third in conference while shooting 51.5 percent from the field. After a stellar 2018-19 season, Waters was named to the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) First Team in addition to earning a spot on the GCAA All-Defensive Team and the GCAA All-Tournament Team.
"Waters is extremely athletic, and he can really score the basketball," Cross said. "He is a very versatile player that will be able to play multiple positions for us."
Jitarious Gordon
Guard | 6-1 | Northwest Mississippi Community College
Gordon is a high-level scoring guard that led the team and conference averaging 20.6 points per contest on 47.5 percent shooting. At the end of the season, Gordon was tabbed All-Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges First Team and secured a spot on the NJCAA All-Region 23 Team.
"Gordon is tough and can really badger the ball defensively," Cross said. "He shoots the three-ball extremely well too, so opposing team will have to respect his shot."
Tahj Small
Guard | 6-5 | Moberly Area Community College
Native of Durham, N.C., the 6-foot-5 guard averaged the third-highest scoring output on the team at 14.3 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting from the field. Small is a deep threat as well as he shot 40.6 percent from behind the arc on a team-high 93 three-pointers made.
"Small is a very efficient basketball player who will help our perimeter shooting and rebounding," Cross said. "Small will also help our versatility because he can play multiple positions because due to his length and skill level."
For more information on Troy men's basketball follow along on Twitter at @TroyTrojansMBB and on Instagram at @troymenshoops.
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