Tonny Trocha-Morelos
Colombia may be a hardcore soccer nation, but over the last few years some Colombian athletes have led a movement to change that perception. Chief among them is 23-year-old Texas A&M senior from Cartagena Tonny Trocha-Morelos. Although baseball was his first sport of choice growing up in South America, he switched after realizing that his 6-foot-10 inch frame was better suited for the hardwood instead of the diamond.
Upon switching sports he eventually found himself playing for Colombia’s Under-18 team at the 2012 U-18 FIBA Americas Tournament. Now at College Station he plays in what’s arguably the most high profile conference in the NCAA, the Southeastern Conference. At center Trocha-Morelos has held his own as he averages 10 points and five rebounds per game. Since arriving on campus A&M has made the postseason twice (2015 NIT and 2016 NCAA Tournaments), and narrowly missed postseason play last year.
And if the Aggies stick with their winning ways they’ll be a postseason team again this year. Trocha-Morelos is a major reason why A&M is shedding the stereotype of just being a football school. With his skills as a post player he’s projected as a second round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.