Troy University Athletics
Trojans Sign Three Newcomers for 2020-21 Season
4/15/2020 4:39:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. -- The Troy Trojans men's basketball program and head coach Scott Cross signed Rory Pantophlet, Kieffer Punter and Christian Turner to National Letters of Intent, the head coach announced Wednesday afternoon.
The three newcomers are the first three signees for the Trojans in the Class of 2020 and will enroll at Troy this fall.
A native of St. Maarten, Pantophlet comes to Troy off a strong two-year stint for legendary head coach Mike Marquis at Tyler.
"Rory is an extremely talented and athletic 6'9" post player. He runs like a deer, has great hands, sprints the floor, and rebounds out of his area. He can score with either hand, has great feet and a blossoming skill set. Like Kieffer, I believe that Rory is just beginning to tap the surface of his potential, and he will continue to get better and better each and every day."
A 6'9" forward, Pantophlet averaged 9.1 points and 9.1 rebounds a game a season ago, shooting an efficient 63.8 percent from the field. Pantophlet recorded 12 games with double-figure points and nine contests with at least 10 rebounds, including an impressive 14 point 22 rebound performance against Panola College.
An NJCAA all-region (XIV) selection, Pantophlet will join his junior college teammate Punter at Troy this fall.
A 6'4" guard from New York City, Punter joins the Trojans after spending the last two years playing with Pantophlet for Mike Marquis at Tyler Junior College.
"Kieffer is a very smart basketball player that can really shoot the basketball," the head coach said.  "He shot an amazing 46.1% from behind the arc last season which was in the top-25 nationally. Kieffer can pass, dribble, shoot, and will play on both sides of the ball. He is an extremely high character kid that fits my definition of an OKG. I believe Kieffer is the type of player that will just keep getting better and better because he is a gym rat and works so hard."
In 2019-20, Punter averaged 11.9 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. One of the best 3-pointer shooters in the NJCAA, the Bronx product shot an efficient 46.1 percent from behind the arc a season ago.
The guard hit at least four 3-pointers in 12 of his 26 contests, reaching double-figures 16 times. Like his teammate Pantophlet, Punter was named to the NJCAA XIV all-region team.
"Kieffer & Rory both played for my alma mater, Tyler Junior College, where they helped lead TJC to a 25-3 record (best in TJC school history) & a Region XIV Championship," Cross said.  "I have coached two former players, Bradley Gay (2010-12 / 2012 Southland Champion) & Faith Pope (2015-2017 / 2017 Sun Belt Champion) that also played for current TJC coach, Mike Marquis. Coach Marquis has won over 650 games in his career, but what I like most about his program is that he always has high character kids in his program. Kieffer and Rory are no different."
Troy's third and final addition of the afternoon was Texas high school product Christian Turner.
A 6'7" forward from Grand Prairie, Texas, Turner was named the Texas 6A District 7 Defensive Player of the Year this past season.
"Christian is a 6'7" power forward that can really stretch the defense with his 3-PT shooting," Cross added. "Christian won Defensive Player of the Year in one of the toughest districts in the state of Texas. He plays at South Grand Prairie HS for Coach Brandon Bennett, who is widely known as one of the best coaches in Texas because of his emphasis on defense and the fundamentals of the game. Christian has a great feel for the game, can post up and is a great passer that can guard any position on the floor."
A combo-forward, Turner averaged 14.2 points and 5.5 rebounds this past season, including a 38-point 12 rebound performance against Waxahachie.
The 6A District 7 Sophomore of the Year (2018), Turner was also named to the TABC 6A all-region team and was named to the all-district team this past season.Â
The three prospects join a strong returning core that includes freshmen Desmond Williams and Jakevan Leftridge, as well as forwards Zay Williams and Nick Stampley.
What They're Saying:
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Mike Marquis, Head Coach Tyler JC:
"Both Rory and Kieffer are good citizens and students that will help coach Cross mold Troy into a consistent winner. Rory is going to be a great addition to the Trojans roster because he can run, rebound and score in multiple ways. He is a great defender and a winner. Kieffer will bring shooting, hard work and leadership to the Troy Program. He can play multiple positions and is a fierce competitor."
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Brandon Bennett, Head Coach South Grand Prairie High School:
"Christian Turner is a great kid that excels on and off the basketball court. He takes great pride in his work in the classroom, and he's highly respected by his teachers and classmates. On the court, Christian is a highly skilled offensive player that has the ability to score the basketball on all three levels. One of the strongest parts of his game is his defensive intensity and his ability to stop the opponent from scoring. He has the ability to guard all five positions and plays the game with an extremely high basketball IQ."
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