Troy L. Sayles
Men's Basketball Troy L. Sayles, Associate Director of Athletic Communications
ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men's basketball team and head coach Billy Taylor unveiled its five-member signing class for the 2024-25 season on Wednesday, June 26. The quintet consists of four transfers and one freshman.
The signees include transfers Andrew King (UIC), Jameel Rideout (USC Aiken), TJ Simpkins (Northwest Florida State College) and Matthew Van Komen (Hawai'i Pacific) as well as freshman Trey O'Neil from IMG Academy. They will join forward Brayden Crump, who signed with the Phoenix last fall and enrolled midyear this past season.
"I am very excited to welcome this incoming class to Elon," said Taylor. "I feel that these five individuals, plus Brayden who joined us in the spring, help us address some specific needs for our team. We've added a mixture of positions, skillsets and experience which will help move this program in the right direction. Additionally, this class continues our tradition of recruiting high-character guys who fit our mission of pursuing excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community."
ANDREW KING | Guard • 6-3 • 189 • Phoenix, Ariz. • Bella Vista Prep (UIC/Houston Christian)
King arrives after spending last season as a member of the men's basketball program at UIC. Prior to UIC, King played the 2022-23 campaign at Houston Christian, averaging 27.6 minutes per contest in 28 games. He led the Huskies in total assists with 128 while averaging 8.9 points per game. During his prep career, he played at Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz., playing for coach Mike Smith and averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game. He also played club basketball for Arizona Select and coach John Ortega.
"Drew's hunger coming off of a redshirt year at UIC became evident the moment he stepped onto campus this summer," said Taylor. "He brings a level of toughness and unselfishness to the lead guard position and can score the ball in a variety of ways. Additionally, Drew embraces competing on the defensive end and that is something we needed."
— Elon Men's Basketball (@ElonMBasketball) April 27, 2024Official ??
Welcome to the family, @__AndrewKing__!#phoenixrising #SALT pic.twitter.com/am9CvjRP8m
JAMEEL RIDEOUT | Guard • 6-2 • 175 • Philadelphia, Pa. • Berkmar HS (USC Aiken)
Rideout played two seasons at USC Aiken, appearing in 63 games while making 62 starts. He averaged 25.6 minutes per game while averaging 8.7 points per contest. During his sophom*ore campaign last season, Rideout averaged 10 points per game while knocking down 38.8 percent of his three-pointers. He also was named a CSC (College Sports Communicators) Academic All-District selection. Rideout attended Berkmar High School (Ga.) during his prep career where he was an All-State selection as a senior and guided his team to a pair of region championships. He also received First-Team All-County and All-Defensive team honors his senior season and played AAU for the Atlanta Celtics.
"Jameel is just a winner on and off the court," said Taylor. "Whether it was AAU, high school, or the last two years at nationally ranked USC-Aiken, Jameel impacts winning. His competitiveness mixed with his abilities as a basketball player and leader are something we are going to count on. He will push the pace, attack the paint and be able to make plays for himself and others."
— Elon Men's Basketball (@ElonMBasketball) May 28, 2024Official ??
Welcome to the family, @jameelrideoutt!#phoenixrising #SALT pic.twitter.com/1ADBx7hSW1
TJ SIMPKINS | Guard • 6-5 • 185 • Brooklyn, N.Y. • Liberty Heights Christian (Northwest Florida State College)
Simpkins joins his twin brother TK as a member of the Phoenix. TJ Simpkins spent the past two seasons at Northwest Florida State College, redshirting as a freshman before seeing action in 33 games with 27 starts last season. He averaged a team-best 15 points per game and shot 46 percent from the field and nearly 36 percent from three-point range. He earned All-Panhandle Conference honors while helping the Raiders to the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Tournament. He had seven 20-point games in 2023-24 including a season-high 44-point outing in just his third collegiate game.
"TJ's high-level playmaking ability on both sides of the ball will allow him to be a special player in our system, similar to his brother TK," said Taylor. "He excels in transition and can put significant pressure on the paint with his drives and cuts. He can also impact our ability to rebound the ball using his athleticism and instincts. TJ had a great year for Steve DeMeo at Northwest Florida and we anticipate that being a springboard to a great career here at Elon."
— Elon Men's Basketball (@ElonMBasketball) April 24, 2024Official ??
Welcome to the family, @SimpkinsTajuan!#phoenixrising #SALT pic.twitter.com/OEuUmuZCu2
MATTHEW VAN KOMEN | Center • 7-4 • 260 • Lehi, Utah • Pleasant Grove High School (Hawai'i Pacific/Saint Mary's College/Utah)
Van Komen played this past season at Hawai'i Pacific, appearing in 21 games with 10 starts on the year. He averaged 7.1 points and 7.4 rebounds while blocking 47 shots for the Sharks. Prior to Hawai'i Pacific, he was a member of the Saint Mary's College team from 2020-23 while spending his freshman season at Utah in 2019-20. Van Komen was ranked as a four-star player during his prep career and was the No. 2 recruit out of the state of Utah by ESPN. He was also tabbed as one of the top-20 centers in the nation according to ESPN. As a prep player, he helped Pleasant Grove to the 2017-18 6A state championship game, averaging 16.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 blocked shots. He was also a 2018 First Team All-State selection while receiving offers from Gonzaga, Baylor and Utah State.
"From day one, Matt will have an immediate impact on our interior defense and our ability to rebound the basketball," said Taylor. "Offensively, he possesses the ability to finish around the rim and score the ball with either hand. Away from the basket, Matt is a terrific passer and screener and will add several dimensions to our offensive schemes. Additionally, Matt brings a different perspective and a sense of leadership and maturity to our program."
— Elon Men's Basketball (@ElonMBasketball) May 28, 2024A BIG addition coming to the Phoenix next season!
Welcome to the family, @asapmattvk!#phoenixrising #SALT pic.twitter.com/Z8xUaxiLx1
TREY O'NEIL | Guard • 6-2 • 180 • Ardmore, Pa. • Hill School/IMG Academy
O'Neil played this past season for IMG Academy's Post Grad National Team under head coach Jimmy Carr. He averaged 14.3 points, 4.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 48.8 percent from three-point range while being named the team's MVP. Prior to IMG, O'Neil prepped at The Hill School and made the All-Tournament Team and was an All-MAPL League selection in 2023. He also played AAU with the Shoreshots Rio UAA under head coach Mike Rice.
"Trey further adds to the depth of our perimeter shooting and ballhandling," said Taylor. "He has a smooth shooting stroke, an extremely high IQ and consistently makes the right play for himself and his teammates. Those attributes will allow him to have success in our system over the course of his career."
— Elon Men's Basketball (@ElonMBasketball) April 24, 2024
-- ELON --
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Players Mentioned
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Brayden Crump
- F
- 6' 8"
- Freshman
Players Mentioned
-
Brayden Crump
- 6' 8"
- Freshman
- F
