Troy University Athletics
Positional Previews: Newcomer Guards
10/31/2024 1:20:00 PM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – Although the Troy women's basketball team lost a lot of talent from last year, head coach Chanda Rigby reloaded the team through the transfer portal, including five new guards: Ashley Baez, Adriana Jones, Emani Jenkins, Khila Morris and Briana Peguero.
Baez comes to Troy after stints at Florida Gulf Coast and Chipola. The 5-6 senior played in seven games for FGCU in 2023-24, including a 15-point outburst in her debut. At Chipola, Baez was named a Second Team NJCAA All-American in 2022-23. The Dominican Republic native led the team with 21.5 points per game, including a career-high 40 points against DME Academy.
At 5-6, Jones transfers to Troy for her junior year after an impressive 2023-24 season at Shelton State CC, where she was named the ACCC Player of the Year. In 31 starts, the guard averaged 18.1 points per game and shot 40.6 percent from the field. Jones dropped 22 points in the NJCAA South District Championship, leading Shelton State to a title in the 60-58 victory. She scored a season-high 36 points against Northeast Mississippi CC, hitting five 3-pointers.
"Ashley Baez and Adriana Jones will be two of the fastest guards in the Sun Belt," Rigby said. "We hope to use their speed on both sides of the ball so that our opponents have to play faster than they are comfortable playing."
After spending two seasons at Trinity Valley, Jenkins transfers to Troy, dawning the No. 3. She led her team with 2.4 3-pointers per game last season, shooting 38.8 percent from downtown. The 5-10 junior averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14 games last year with the Cardinals, earning an NJCAA Top-40 All-Star berth. Jenkins dropped 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal in the All-Star game.
"Emani Jenkins is one of the best pure shooters I have coached in a while," Rigby said. "Her ability to knock down shots from the three-point line will stretch defenses and open up opportunities for her teammates to score."
No. 24 Morris comes to Troy after two seasons at Union, where she guided her squad to a regional and district championship in 2023-24. After averaging 19.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and six assists per game, Morris was named a NJCAA D-II First Team All-American. The 5-11 guard shot 50.9 percent from the field last season, including going 14-for-18 from the field in a 39-point explosion against Harcum College. Morris also recorded 187 assists over the season, suitable for the sixth-most in D-II.
"Khila Morris will nudge us to be better in many ways," Rigby said. "She makes the right pass that puts us in the best position to score repeatedly. She is also a defensive stopper who can be counted on. She just makes plays that win ballgames."
Peguero – a Houston, Texas native – joins the Trojans for her senior year after a season at Mercer. She logged double-digit points in 18 out of 32 games played with the Bears.
The 5-7 guard reunites with former teammate Jenkins after playing together at Trinity Valley in 2022-23. Peguero averaged 10.1 points, 1.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds last season for Mercer.
"Bri brings a lot to the table for us," Rigby said. "She can run the show as a point guard, score in many ways, and be a defensive leader."
The Trojans newcomers will look to make an impact starting Nov. 4 with a road matchup against Buffalo.
Baez comes to Troy after stints at Florida Gulf Coast and Chipola. The 5-6 senior played in seven games for FGCU in 2023-24, including a 15-point outburst in her debut. At Chipola, Baez was named a Second Team NJCAA All-American in 2022-23. The Dominican Republic native led the team with 21.5 points per game, including a career-high 40 points against DME Academy.
At 5-6, Jones transfers to Troy for her junior year after an impressive 2023-24 season at Shelton State CC, where she was named the ACCC Player of the Year. In 31 starts, the guard averaged 18.1 points per game and shot 40.6 percent from the field. Jones dropped 22 points in the NJCAA South District Championship, leading Shelton State to a title in the 60-58 victory. She scored a season-high 36 points against Northeast Mississippi CC, hitting five 3-pointers.
"Ashley Baez and Adriana Jones will be two of the fastest guards in the Sun Belt," Rigby said. "We hope to use their speed on both sides of the ball so that our opponents have to play faster than they are comfortable playing."
After spending two seasons at Trinity Valley, Jenkins transfers to Troy, dawning the No. 3. She led her team with 2.4 3-pointers per game last season, shooting 38.8 percent from downtown. The 5-10 junior averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14 games last year with the Cardinals, earning an NJCAA Top-40 All-Star berth. Jenkins dropped 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal in the All-Star game.
"Emani Jenkins is one of the best pure shooters I have coached in a while," Rigby said. "Her ability to knock down shots from the three-point line will stretch defenses and open up opportunities for her teammates to score."
No. 24 Morris comes to Troy after two seasons at Union, where she guided her squad to a regional and district championship in 2023-24. After averaging 19.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and six assists per game, Morris was named a NJCAA D-II First Team All-American. The 5-11 guard shot 50.9 percent from the field last season, including going 14-for-18 from the field in a 39-point explosion against Harcum College. Morris also recorded 187 assists over the season, suitable for the sixth-most in D-II.
"Khila Morris will nudge us to be better in many ways," Rigby said. "She makes the right pass that puts us in the best position to score repeatedly. She is also a defensive stopper who can be counted on. She just makes plays that win ballgames."
Peguero – a Houston, Texas native – joins the Trojans for her senior year after a season at Mercer. She logged double-digit points in 18 out of 32 games played with the Bears.
The 5-7 guard reunites with former teammate Jenkins after playing together at Trinity Valley in 2022-23. Peguero averaged 10.1 points, 1.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds last season for Mercer.
"Bri brings a lot to the table for us," Rigby said. "She can run the show as a point guard, score in many ways, and be a defensive leader."
The Trojans newcomers will look to make an impact starting Nov. 4 with a road matchup against Buffalo.
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