Troy University Athletics
Get to Know the Troy Men’s Basketball Newcomers – Class of 2022
11/2/2022 11:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – Just five days until the 2022-23 season opens up in Trojan Arena for the Troy men's basketball program; the anticipation is rising for the recruiting class of 2022, which includes Andre Young, Randi Ovalle and Jackson Fields.
No. 4 | Andre Young | Guard | Mableton, Ga. | Pebblebrook HS
The 5-11 guard stands as the shortest member of the team and uses it to his advantage to be an elite on-ball defender and 3-point threat.
"Andre is a point guard that will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder," head coach Scott Cross said. "He had a great summer and was doing very well in the fall before his injury. Young is a very good 3-point shooter and a great on-ball defender. He will now have a year to get stronger and get more acclimated to our culture and style of play."
Young comes to Troy as a highly touted recruit from Pebblebrook High School, where he led his team to a 24-3 record in his senior season. While at Pebblebrook, the Mableton, Ga. native was a utility knife, averaging 15 points, six assists and three steals.
The scholar-athlete in high school was born on Jan. 4, 2004, in Austell, Ga., to his parents, Elizabeth and Arnez Young. Young's presence will be felt from the bench this season as he works his way back from injury for the 2023-24 season.
"The fans should be excited to watch me play because I'm going to bring the energy, passion, and love to the game to make up for the time I missed," Young said.
No. 13 | Randi Ovalle | Forward | Santiago, Dominican Republic | Success Unlimited Academy
At 6-7, Ovalle's first appearance is highly anticipated since the team signed him on Nov. 11, 2021. The Success Unlimited Academy graduate dominated high school, dropping 30 points per game with 11 rebounds and five assists to boost.
"Randi is a tweener that can play both forward positions. He is a very good 3-point shooter. Unfortunately, Randi missed the entire summer as he was dealing with his student visa paperwork. This year will be a great opportunity for him to grow, develop, and improve as a basketball player."
Despite the slow transition to Troy, Ovalle is one to keep an eye on after being rated No. 10 in North Carolina and No. 58 nationally for small forwards by 247Sports Composite. He also had winning experience, hoisting a state title in 2020-21.
Before coming to the United States, Ovalle was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, on Dec. 1, 2002. His parents, Jenniffer Fanny Jimenez Ovalle and Junior Manuel Ovalle Ventura, brought the freshman forward to America to compete at a high level.
"I hope you all bring the support we need this season," Ovalle said. "I want to hear everyone loud in the stands. I just can't wait to get on the court and perform for anyone and everyone."
No. 15 | Jackson Fields | Forward | Missouri City, Texas | Lawrence E. Elkins HS
After finishing his four years at both Kinkaid School and Lawrence E. Elkins High School with a cumulative record of 75-26, Fields joins the Trojans as a legit post presence.
"Jackson is a freshman post player that has really made progress over the summer and fall," Cross said. "He has been really bought into being a great defender and rebounder for us. He has been doing all of the little things to put himself in a position to be able to help our basketball team win games. I have a feeling that he is going to continue to get better and better every day."
Fields averaged 9.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in his senior season to be named both All-District First Team and the Defensive Player of the Year for Lawrence E. Elkins. His talents don't stop on the basketball court, having received multiple Division-I offers for football after being named All-District First Team in that sport.
The 6-8 210-pound forward is from Charlotte, N.C., where he was born on June 2, 2004. Fields joined a family of four with his parents, Stacy and Jackie Fields, and sisters Skylar and Sydney.
"I just wanted to say come out and support the team every night," Fields said. "From me, you can expect a high-energy guy who is willing to do anything to help the team win."
No. 4 | Andre Young | Guard | Mableton, Ga. | Pebblebrook HS
The 5-11 guard stands as the shortest member of the team and uses it to his advantage to be an elite on-ball defender and 3-point threat.
"Andre is a point guard that will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder," head coach Scott Cross said. "He had a great summer and was doing very well in the fall before his injury. Young is a very good 3-point shooter and a great on-ball defender. He will now have a year to get stronger and get more acclimated to our culture and style of play."
Young comes to Troy as a highly touted recruit from Pebblebrook High School, where he led his team to a 24-3 record in his senior season. While at Pebblebrook, the Mableton, Ga. native was a utility knife, averaging 15 points, six assists and three steals.
The scholar-athlete in high school was born on Jan. 4, 2004, in Austell, Ga., to his parents, Elizabeth and Arnez Young. Young's presence will be felt from the bench this season as he works his way back from injury for the 2023-24 season.
"The fans should be excited to watch me play because I'm going to bring the energy, passion, and love to the game to make up for the time I missed," Young said.
No. 13 | Randi Ovalle | Forward | Santiago, Dominican Republic | Success Unlimited Academy
At 6-7, Ovalle's first appearance is highly anticipated since the team signed him on Nov. 11, 2021. The Success Unlimited Academy graduate dominated high school, dropping 30 points per game with 11 rebounds and five assists to boost.
"Randi is a tweener that can play both forward positions. He is a very good 3-point shooter. Unfortunately, Randi missed the entire summer as he was dealing with his student visa paperwork. This year will be a great opportunity for him to grow, develop, and improve as a basketball player."
Despite the slow transition to Troy, Ovalle is one to keep an eye on after being rated No. 10 in North Carolina and No. 58 nationally for small forwards by 247Sports Composite. He also had winning experience, hoisting a state title in 2020-21.
Before coming to the United States, Ovalle was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, on Dec. 1, 2002. His parents, Jenniffer Fanny Jimenez Ovalle and Junior Manuel Ovalle Ventura, brought the freshman forward to America to compete at a high level.
"I hope you all bring the support we need this season," Ovalle said. "I want to hear everyone loud in the stands. I just can't wait to get on the court and perform for anyone and everyone."
No. 15 | Jackson Fields | Forward | Missouri City, Texas | Lawrence E. Elkins HS
After finishing his four years at both Kinkaid School and Lawrence E. Elkins High School with a cumulative record of 75-26, Fields joins the Trojans as a legit post presence.
"Jackson is a freshman post player that has really made progress over the summer and fall," Cross said. "He has been really bought into being a great defender and rebounder for us. He has been doing all of the little things to put himself in a position to be able to help our basketball team win games. I have a feeling that he is going to continue to get better and better every day."
Fields averaged 9.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in his senior season to be named both All-District First Team and the Defensive Player of the Year for Lawrence E. Elkins. His talents don't stop on the basketball court, having received multiple Division-I offers for football after being named All-District First Team in that sport.
The 6-8 210-pound forward is from Charlotte, N.C., where he was born on June 2, 2004. Fields joined a family of four with his parents, Stacy and Jackie Fields, and sisters Skylar and Sydney.
"I just wanted to say come out and support the team every night," Fields said. "From me, you can expect a high-energy guy who is willing to do anything to help the team win."
Behind the Wall - S10, E14
Sunday, December 28
Chanda Rigby Postgame Press Conference - No. 24 Alabama
Sunday, December 21
Troy vs. No. 24 Alabama
Sunday, December 21
Troy vs. Marshall (Full Highlights)
Saturday, December 20