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Texas A&M Basketball

Tonny Trocha passes TOEFL, will be admitted to A&M

April 10, 2014
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For almost two years the Texas A&M fan base has been hearing about a Colombian-born basketball player who will be suiting up for the Aggies "in the near future."

Well, it's finally official.

Billy Kennedy and his staff received confirmation on Wednesday that Tonny Trocha will be able to enroll at TAMU.

Trocha, a 6-10 forward who was recruited by a number of basketball schools — including the national runner-up Kentucky Wildcats — will sign his second national letter of intent to Texas A&M next week. His first NLI was originally signed in hopes that he would be admitted to school last spring, but the failure of that to occur means he must sign another.

The Aggies were a point guard and big man away from being an NCAA Tournament team this season and will have both next season. ... Tonny Trocha is a legit 6-10 center who will have an immediate impact defensively. - CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"The Aggies were a point guard and big man away from being an NCAA Tournament team this season and will have both next season. ... Tonny Trocha is a legit 6-10 center who will have an immediate impact defensively. ","Author":"CBS Sports\u0027 Jon Rothstein"}
Trocha isn't the final piece to the puzzle for the Aggie basketball program, but he is a piece that has been sorely missing and a player that will increase productivity at both ends of the court. He will be a defensive presence in the paint and a force on the boards; his length and athleticism will not only increase the depth of the roster, but also the competitiveness in practice and games.

On a national scale, A&M was recently listed as one of the five basketball programs that will rise next season — and CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein named Trocha specifically among the reasons the Aggies could find success during the 2014-2015 season.

Peyton Allen, the Aggie shooting guard recruit from Glenwood, Ill. will also sign his national letter of intent next week. At that point Billy Kennedy will have a complete class of Alex Robinson (a top-50 national player) at point guard, Trocha in the post, Allen on the wing and Jalen Jones (the SMU transfer who led the Mustangs in scoring and rebounding two years ago) as a perimeter four.
Discussion from...

Tonny Trocha passes TOEFL, will be admitted to A&M

11,752 Views | 69 Replies | Last: 10 yr ago by jml2621
Logan Lee
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8:21a, 4/10/14
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Tonny Trocha passes TOEFL, will be admitted to A&M
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Morpholino
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8:40a, 4/10/14
THE LOVER
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8:43a, 4/10/14
Good news. But this kid is a long way away.
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hoya-ag
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8:46a, 4/10/14
Logan Lee
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8:46a, 4/10/14
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Lover -

How far away is he? Do you mean that you think he is in Colombia? Or are you talking about his skills? In either situation, when did you get to evaluate him?
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viva torrente
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8:49a, 4/10/14
I missed this one before I edited your second response, but same thing goes. - Logan

[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 4/10/2014 9:55a).]
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THE LOVER
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8:56a, 4/10/14
I'd say Tonny is a few years away from being more than a role player. Kid is raw, hasn't played competitive basketball in two years. I'm happy the right thing has been done and that this kid is in. But it is always fools gold hoping for raw players to save the day.
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THE LOVER
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8:58a, 4/10/14
The Kennedy backers will always use things like this as some sort of earth changing event. Again this is really good! But lets let this kid have some time. When he is up and down this should be expected.
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NetBoy
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9:25a, 4/10/14
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Lover, when did you get to see him play??
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StanGundy
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9:30a, 4/10/14
Lover please tell us how do YOU know the kid has a long way to go? Based on some two-year old YouTube clips? I just want to know how YOU know this like it is a fact? Have YOU ever seen him play in person? In the past 6 months? Have you ever been to one of the team's open gyms and watched him?

I'm not even saying you are wrong. You may be totally right. He may end up being the most over-hyped player to ever enroll at any D-1 university. I am just asking a question as to how THE LOVER can claim, as though it is written in stone, that Trocha is a long way from being more than a role player?
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Spaceball 1
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9:31a, 4/10/14
AG
5 teams on the rise?? Making the tournament shouldn't save Kennedy. I hate the coach, the man I'm sure is awesome. If he doesn't take us to the Final 4 I'd rather have someone else, anyone else.

His boring demeanor, and the way he's coached the team, and thrown the team under the bus have completely turned me off. He sucks.
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THE LOVER
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9:32a, 4/10/14
History. 30 years watching basketball.
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dkd95
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9:36a, 4/10/14
StanGundy
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9:36a, 4/10/14
Exactly what I figured. History. In other words, you have no idea whether or not the kid has the goods or not.
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Method Man
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9:37a, 4/10/14
quote:
5 teams on the rise?? Making the tournament shouldn't save Kennedy. I hate the coach, the man I'm sure is awesome. If he doesn't take us to the Final 4 I'd rather have someone else, anyone else.

His boring demeanor, and the way he's coached the team, and thrown the team under the bus have completely turned me off. He sucks.
He'a turned me off, but if he makes the tourney he absolutely should stay.
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THE LOVER
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9:37a, 4/10/14
This kid is athletic but unpolished. Hasn't been coached or played competitive hoops in two years! How could you expect anything but a few years before you would see more? Experienced high level high school players tend to struggle for a few years. Let this kid come in and grow.
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Mostly Peaceful
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9:39a, 4/10/14


[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 4/10/2014 10:05a).]
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viva torrente
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9:39a, 4/10/14
Don't turn this into a BK thread. This is about Trocha and no matter if he is the savior of Aggie basketball or just another piece to the puzzle, everyone should be happy he got in or at least happy this whole saga is over. - Logan

[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 4/10/2014 9:54a).]
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Ervin Burrell
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9:51a, 4/10/14
AG
Cool...things fall our way, and we could be an 8 seed in the NIT.

FEEL THE EXCITEMENT!
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Pumpkinhead
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10:07a, 4/10/14
AG
Just an additional note but, according to Logan, Tony Trocha at 6'10" currently weighs about 220 lbs.

Also notice that Logan did not mention Ndir in the incoming class list. Apparently he has not qualified yet. As of now, it seems reasonable to not expect Ndir until other info comes out.

And sincere congratulations to Tony himself. All the posters on this thread who are trying to make this a Kennedy issue, just step back from the Kennedy hate and frustration for one moment and feel good about a 19 year old from Columbia who after about 2 years of living far away from home and family in College Station, working hard to learn English, suffering setback after setback where he thought he was close and then had to try again, yet stuck to it and did not give up and finally accomplished his goal. My hats off to him, and hopefully most posters here are very happy for Tony Trocha as an individual.

I could easily see many individuals just giving up and going somewhere else, but Tony Trocha invested a tremendous amount of time and effort, far more than most students ever have to endure, to play for Texas A&M. He clearly is a person who very much wanted to be a Aggie.


[This message has been edited by Pumpkinhead (edited 4/10/2014 9:17a).]
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THE LOVER
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10:13a, 4/10/14
100% happy for Tonny. Good news for this young man!
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Mark Fairchild
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10:24a, 4/10/14
AG
Pumpkinhead, I agree with your post 100%. So many come into this country the wrong way, and for this young man to persevere, really says a lot about his integrity and desire to play. Have to say congratulations to Tonny.

Gig'em, Ole Army Class of '70
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agfan1030
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10:31a, 4/10/14
Thanks, PH, for reminding this board about Trocha's battle to get here and putting the focus on (atleast for a few minutes) what he has personally accomplished as a young man. Don't you know he is feeling pretty good right now.
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twenty two ags
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10:31a, 4/10/14
great news!




quote:
Lover -

How far away is he? Do you mean that you think he is in Colombia? Or are you talking about his skills? In either situation, when did you get to evaluate him?

how about you both put your "nuts on the table" and predict Trocha's numbers for next year?

I'll play:

Trocha as a Fish prediction:
less than 8.0 PPG
less than 6.0 Reb/game
less than 25 min/game (foul trouble)
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cs69ag
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10:58a, 4/10/14
AG
This is a step in the right direction...that's all...BK has not had a true big man since he has been here...hopefully, one of the pieces we need to turn things around! No need to still be all negative about anything and everything as some posters on here are. The team will be better no matter how negative they are. Those that do not plan to buy tickets and go to games, will miss the turn around. People will get back on the band wagon as the team wins games...which they will.

Btw....the x's and o's can be a little over rated....talent and depth are more important.
Most coaches, including BK, are good enough
with the x's and o's.
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agtrevino07
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10:58a, 4/10/14
AG
Good job by the big fella from Colombia! As a former international student at A&M, I congratulate Trocha for his effort! I hope he takes full advantage of this opportunity to succeed not only in basketball but in life. Few people in Latin American have the opportunity to get a degree from a highly regarded university.

I hope us (fans) are patient with our incoming freshman class since they will need to develop. Fortunately, I truly believe we have really good leadership in our upper class with ACaruso and JGreen.

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wacarnolds
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11:01a, 4/10/14
AG
Gig em tonny



[This message has been edited by wacarnolds (edited 4/10/2014 10:02a).]
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Logan Lee
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11:05a, 4/10/14
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AG
^^^

I have already said that to expect more than 8 pts a game and maybe 8 rebounds a game would be crazy. Not that he can't do it, but because of the same reason Lover gave: He has been out for two years and will need time to adjust.

Lover - I hate to put that type of hype and pressure on a freshman but I am also doing that to Alex Robinson. He has to come in here and perform as a true fish too. Very high expectations for both freshmen, but that's what needs to happen.
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THE LOVER
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11:09a, 4/10/14
And that will set up the cry for a 5th year. ^ I'm a very realistic person as a life long observer of hoops. Freshmen need time.
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cs69ag
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11:24a, 4/10/14
AG
Good freshmen are playing well all over the Country...Caruso was good as a fish...bet these two will help us a lot! Alex Robinson could have gone to a lot of schools...same for Trocha.
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DeangeloVickers
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11:45a, 4/10/14
AG
Congrats to Trocha!

One thing that has me excited is he stuck it out. We have been a revolving door and kids these days first reaction to quit or transfer.

Major kudos to him for working hard and getting it done!

Totally agree on the raw and expectations....however you can't teach what he has.

Check out Isiah Austin....I'm sorry but he was not very good as a basketball....however he is a total game changer in the inside with his length....Baylor started winning when he decided to play defense and disrupt shots in the inside.

Hope Trocha works hard in the weight room and gets tough.
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Beau Holder
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11:51a, 4/10/14
AG
quote:
All the posters on this thread who are trying to make this a Kennedy issue, just step back from the Kennedy hate and frustration for one moment and feel good about a 19 year old from Columbia who after about 2 years of living far away from home and family in College Station, working hard to learn English, suffering setback after setback where he thought he was close and then had to try again, yet stuck to it and did not give up and finally accomplished his goal. My hats off to him, and hopefully most posters here are very happy for Tony Trocha as an individual.
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THE LOVER
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11:55a, 4/10/14
The freshmen that come in and play well as freshmen aren't ones that are coming off two years away. They are also life long players that have been in the basketball machine.
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Pumpkinhead
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12:01p, 4/10/14
AG
My guess is a 20 mpg, 4-5 ppg, 3-5 rbg, 2 blocks per game kind of guy his fish year. Not a huge impact player but better than a 'project' and will definitely help immediately. That said, I have only read rumors about the mythical Trocha and have never actually seen him play. Will be definitely interested to get that first glimpse of him.

[This message has been edited by Pumpkinhead (edited 4/10/2014 11:03a).]
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texasaggie2015
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12:02p, 4/10/14
AG
I play with him at the Rec all the time. I know it's the Rec.... But I've never been impressed. Especially offensively. He doesn't seem as good as he's made out to be. I hope I'm wrong. He does have great size though, he's every bit of 6'10. I'm glad he made it in, and I hope he develops into a great player for us.
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