TJ McKenzie
Full Name: Thomas James McKenzie
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 6-11 / 240
Birthdate: September 21, 1979
High School: St. Joseph’s HS (Trumbull, CT)
College: Rice
Played final three seasons of collegiate career at Rice, after playing his first season at Providence. Sat out 1998-99 season at Rice under NCAA transfer rules. Finished eighth on Rice’s all-time blocked shots list with 54. Completed collegiate career with 486 total points, 378 rebounds, and 54 blocked shots.
As a senior, averaged 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.8 minutes a game. Battled nagging injuries to appear in 27 games, starting seven times. Finished second on the team in field goal percentage (.458). Scored season-high 14 points while snaring eight rebounds against Texas-Pan American on Dec. 27. Tallied 11 points against Siena on Dec. 29. Led or shared the team lead team in rebounding three times.
As a junior, averaged 6.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in 20.5 minutes a game. Started 15 of the team’s first 17 games before missing the last 13 games of the season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. Scored a career-high 22 points on 9-for-11 field goal shooting against Duquesne on Dec. 30. Notched a double-double with 19 points and career-high 13 rebounds at TCU on Jan. 20. Scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 4.
As a sophomore, averaged 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23.0 minutes a game. Started 22 of 25 games. Scored in double figures nine times, with a high game of 15 at Hawaii on Feb. 19. Blocked four shots in a win over Northwestern State on Dec. 2. Scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds against Hawaii on Jan. 20. Last 12 rebounds of the season were all off of the offensive glass.
As a freshman at Providence, averaged 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.9 minutes of action. Played in 27 of the team’s 29 games, starting five. Scored season-high six points three times, all against Big East foes. Snared season-high of five rebounds in collegiate debut against Brown. Made first start against Utah in the Direct TV Great Eight Classic.
