Troy University Athletics
Troy Men’s Basketball Newcomers – Transfers
10/31/2022 6:15:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – With seven days until tip-off for the Troy men's basketball season against Montevallo on Nov. 7, three transfers will dawn the cardinal and white for the first time in Darius McNeill, Aamer Muhammad and Nelson Phillips.
No. 1 | Darius McNeill | Guard | Houston, Texas | UTSA
The 6-3 senior comes to Troy after a few different venues that saw McNeill compete in a California, SMU and UTSA jersey for a combined 81 starts between the programs.
"Darius is a very talented combo guard that has really bought into our culture," head coach Scott Cross said. "He is one of the hardest-working players that I have ever coached. He is a very well-rounded guard that really does not have any major flaws in his game as he can shoot, dribble, pass, and defend at a very high level."
The Houston, Texas native is an elite shooter with a dual ability on the defensive end to swipe the ball. In his 104 games played, McNeill scored double figures in 46 games while having 35 games with multiple steals.
Born on Oct. 29 to his mother, Renez, and father, Deal, the 6-3 guard became the youngest in the family with an older sister named Khadija. Outside of basketball, the Westfield high school graduate majors in sports leadership while owning a clothing brand called "Forever Neill."
"I been grinding all summer in the weight room and on the court," McNeill said. "I'm ready to have fun and win a lot of games with my team. Hope to see everyone there to support us."
No. 2 | Aamer Muhammad | Guard | Rio Rancho, N.M. | Lubbock Christian
Muhammad starred for three seasons at the division-II level in Lubbock Christian before coming to Troy, including a 2021-22 Lone Star All-Conference Second Team placement off 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
"Aamer is a combo guard that can score it at a very high level," Cross said. "He is one of the best shooters that I have ever coached. He can really fill it up and shoot it from anywhere. Aamer is also a terrific finisher and can create open shots for his teammates. He is also one of our best communicators and off-ball defenders."
In 2022-23, Muhammad starts his junior season due to Covid-19 after playing in 76 collegiate games with 30 starts for the Chaps. Even while taking 632 shots from the field in his career, the Cleveland high school graduate has an elite 46.7/35.3/84.9 shooting split.
The New Mexico native was born in the motor city of Detriot, Mich., on May 8, 2001, to Sudan Muhammad and Leona Jones. His jumping ability on the court translates from his talent in the sport of track and field, where Muhammad competed in the long, high and triple jumps for two state championships in high school.
"I'm really excited to see you all out there on opening night, and there's plenty of reasons to be excited to watch me," Muhammad said. "I'm an experienced, tough and physical combo guard who can really light it up from behind the arc. I'm looking to impact the floor on both sides of the basketball and give it my all each and every night."
No. 11 | Nelson Phillips | Guard | Warner Robins, Ga. | Georgia State
The 6-3 guard decided to stay in the Sun Belt Conference despite leaving the defending tournament champions, Georgia State, after averaging 7.7 points in 22 games with 11 starts.
"Nelson is a high-level athlete that can really shoot it," Cross said. "He might be the best offensive rebounding guard that I have ever coached, as he is relentlessly crashing the boards. Nelson is also cat quick and has a knack for stealing the ball on defense. I am sure that our fans will love watching him play as he can be a human highlight reel at times."
Ranked in the top 100 by 247sports.com in high school, Phillips peaked his sophomore season at GSU with career-highs in 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks on a 47.1/41.1/72.7 shooting split. That season, Phillips exploded for a career-high 20 points over fellow SBC opponent, Coastal Carolina.
A brother to five siblings, Phillips was born on Dec. 15, 1998, and raised by Nelson Phillips Sr. and Antionette Jones in Warner Robins, Ga. The Warner Robins high school graduate dominated with a 4-star rating while leading his team to a 2018 5A State Championship as the Region 5A Player of the Year.
"I hope everyone is really excited to tune into the season this year," Phillips said. "I am a combo guard that can do all things on the court. When I'm on the court, don't blink or turn your head; you might miss something special. I'm super excited about the group we have this year, and we are ready to prove the nonbelievers wrong."
No. 1 | Darius McNeill | Guard | Houston, Texas | UTSA
The 6-3 senior comes to Troy after a few different venues that saw McNeill compete in a California, SMU and UTSA jersey for a combined 81 starts between the programs.
"Darius is a very talented combo guard that has really bought into our culture," head coach Scott Cross said. "He is one of the hardest-working players that I have ever coached. He is a very well-rounded guard that really does not have any major flaws in his game as he can shoot, dribble, pass, and defend at a very high level."
The Houston, Texas native is an elite shooter with a dual ability on the defensive end to swipe the ball. In his 104 games played, McNeill scored double figures in 46 games while having 35 games with multiple steals.
Born on Oct. 29 to his mother, Renez, and father, Deal, the 6-3 guard became the youngest in the family with an older sister named Khadija. Outside of basketball, the Westfield high school graduate majors in sports leadership while owning a clothing brand called "Forever Neill."
"I been grinding all summer in the weight room and on the court," McNeill said. "I'm ready to have fun and win a lot of games with my team. Hope to see everyone there to support us."
No. 2 | Aamer Muhammad | Guard | Rio Rancho, N.M. | Lubbock Christian
Muhammad starred for three seasons at the division-II level in Lubbock Christian before coming to Troy, including a 2021-22 Lone Star All-Conference Second Team placement off 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
"Aamer is a combo guard that can score it at a very high level," Cross said. "He is one of the best shooters that I have ever coached. He can really fill it up and shoot it from anywhere. Aamer is also a terrific finisher and can create open shots for his teammates. He is also one of our best communicators and off-ball defenders."
In 2022-23, Muhammad starts his junior season due to Covid-19 after playing in 76 collegiate games with 30 starts for the Chaps. Even while taking 632 shots from the field in his career, the Cleveland high school graduate has an elite 46.7/35.3/84.9 shooting split.
The New Mexico native was born in the motor city of Detriot, Mich., on May 8, 2001, to Sudan Muhammad and Leona Jones. His jumping ability on the court translates from his talent in the sport of track and field, where Muhammad competed in the long, high and triple jumps for two state championships in high school.
"I'm really excited to see you all out there on opening night, and there's plenty of reasons to be excited to watch me," Muhammad said. "I'm an experienced, tough and physical combo guard who can really light it up from behind the arc. I'm looking to impact the floor on both sides of the basketball and give it my all each and every night."
No. 11 | Nelson Phillips | Guard | Warner Robins, Ga. | Georgia State
The 6-3 guard decided to stay in the Sun Belt Conference despite leaving the defending tournament champions, Georgia State, after averaging 7.7 points in 22 games with 11 starts.
"Nelson is a high-level athlete that can really shoot it," Cross said. "He might be the best offensive rebounding guard that I have ever coached, as he is relentlessly crashing the boards. Nelson is also cat quick and has a knack for stealing the ball on defense. I am sure that our fans will love watching him play as he can be a human highlight reel at times."
Ranked in the top 100 by 247sports.com in high school, Phillips peaked his sophomore season at GSU with career-highs in 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks on a 47.1/41.1/72.7 shooting split. That season, Phillips exploded for a career-high 20 points over fellow SBC opponent, Coastal Carolina.
A brother to five siblings, Phillips was born on Dec. 15, 1998, and raised by Nelson Phillips Sr. and Antionette Jones in Warner Robins, Ga. The Warner Robins high school graduate dominated with a 4-star rating while leading his team to a 2018 5A State Championship as the Region 5A Player of the Year.
"I hope everyone is really excited to tune into the season this year," Phillips said. "I am a combo guard that can do all things on the court. When I'm on the court, don't blink or turn your head; you might miss something special. I'm super excited about the group we have this year, and we are ready to prove the nonbelievers wrong."
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