Troy University men’s basketball player Theo Seng has taken a winding path through college basketball, overcoming injuries and adapting to new roles at multiple schools before finding success with the Trojans.
Seng, now a senior forward for Troy, is known for his work ethic both on and off the court. He draws inspiration from books such as “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins. “Coach (Scott) Cross is going to love this answer,” Seng said of Troy’s head men’s basketball coach. “I’m reading a David Goggins book right now called Can’t Hurt Me, which is really good.”
Goggins’ book discusses pushing beyond perceived limits, a theme that resonates with Seng. After suffering an ankle injury in high school that sidelined him for much of his senior year, Seng persevered through rehabilitation. “We were breaking the press and one of my friends threw a high lob pass and I jumped up real high to get it and a guy kind of nudged under me,” Seng remembers. “I landed against the bleachers and rolled my ankle pretty bad. I didn’t have to get surgery, thankfully, but it took about a year to get back to normal.”
His college journey began at San Francisco State, but he never played there due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling his freshman season. Seeking Division I experience, he transferred to Sacramento State where he played limited minutes in eight games. “That was definitely a growth year,” Seng said. He credited former coach Brian Katz for recruiting him but noted development was challenging after Katz retired early in the season due to health issues.
Seng then moved to Eastern Arizona College under coach Cameron Turner, where he became a key contributor. Starting 30 games, he averaged 16.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and earned first team honors in the All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and All-Region teams.
A connection between coaches led Seng to Troy University, which offered him a scholarship after several months of recruitment. “Coach Turner and a former assistant here, Byron Jones, were friends so they linked up,” Seng said. He described Troy’s approach as genuine: “They were really genuine and straight to the point.”
Head Coach Scott Cross praised Seng’s versatility: “When we recruited him, we knew he was going to be a 6-9 guy that could really shoot the basketball.” Cross also noted improvements in Seng’s finishing around the basket with help from assistant coach Brandon Gilbert.
Adapting to life at Troy took some time for Seng both on and off the court but he found support among fans and teammates. Reflecting on his role last season coming off the bench behind sophomore Thomas Dowd—who emerged as a star—Seng accepted his position: “It was definitely a hard year for me coming off the bench, but everyone knows how good Thomas is, so I accepted my role and played behind him.” Despite not starting most games last season, he contributed significantly during Troy’s run that ended with an NCAA Tournament appearance against Kentucky.
Seng valued being trusted by coaches during critical moments: “I tell you the most amazing feeling I’ve felt in my life was when we won the conference tournament because the coaches put their faith in me … put me in the last few minutes of the game to get it done.”
Returning for another season at Troy was an easy decision after those experiences: “I was pretty sure I was going to come back anyway, but what really sealed the deal was when they put me in at the end of that conference tournament game … that was amazing.”
This season Seng has started regularly alongside Dowd. The two have developed strong chemistry both on and off court as roommates: “I would definitely say I view Thomas as a brother,” Seng said.
In Troy’s Sun Belt opener against Marshall this year—a 70-63 win—Seng scored 18 points including three consecutive three-pointers early in the second half. Coach Cross credited him as instrumental: “He was a little bit slow at the beginning of the year and then he broke loose and was a big reason we won against Marshall.”
Cross continued: “He’s a big part of what we do … Coach (assistant, Kaleb) Canales says it all the time that he hopes we play a team that has a 7-footer because they’re not going to be able to guard Theo.”
Looking ahead, Seng is focused on helping Troy succeed while pursuing his own goals after graduation as he works toward his Masters in general business: “I definitely would like to play professionally,” Seng said. “I don’t know where yet, but I’m trying to focus on winning here and hopefully everything will take care of itself.”
