AUM Warhawks Basketball: 7 Key Takeaways From The 2024-2025 Season And The Road Ahead
The Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) Warhawks Basketball program is navigating a period of significant transition and competitive growth within the challenging landscape of NCAA Division II's Gulf South Conference (GSC). As of the current date in late 2025, the focus has shifted from the recently completed 2024-2025 season to a strategic restructuring of the coaching staff and the development of key returning players, setting the stage for an ambitious future in Montgomery, Alabama.
The 2024-2025 campaign provided a mix of hard-fought battles and promising individual performances for both the Men's and Women's teams, underscoring the Warhawks' commitment to building a sustainable, competitive culture. From new head coaches taking the reins to standout players etching their names into the record books, here is an in-depth look at the AUM basketball program and the seven most crucial developments shaping its trajectory.
AUM Warhawks Basketball: Program Profile and Key Personnel
The AUM Warhawks compete at the NCAA Division II level, primarily as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC). The GSC is one of the premier conferences in Division II, known for its high level of competition and deep talent pool. The Warhawks play their home games at the AUM Athletics Complex in Montgomery, Alabama.
Men's Basketball Coaching Staff and Top Players (2024-2025)
- Interim Head Coach: Joe Brooks
- Previous Head Coach: Michael Cheaney (Transitioning)
- Key Player (Top Scorer): Malachi Rhodes (217 points in 2024-2025)
- Field Goal % Leader: Trent (Partial name, 2024-2025)
- Roster Entities: Jamarious Martin (Guard), Ti'Avian Scruggs (Forward), Devin (Guard)
- Team Record (2024-2025): 9-18 Conference Record (27 games played)
Women's Basketball Coaching Staff and Top Players (2024-2025)
- Head Coach: Ashlee' Phillips (1st Season in 2024-2025)
- Key Player (Guard/Scorer): Shelby McAllister (Known for three-point shooting and rebounding)
- Key Player (Guard): Tamora Brown
- Key Player (Guard): Tatum Shaw
- Team Record (2024-2025): 12-16 Overall, 10-12 Conference Record
- Season Stats Note: The team posted a positive Rebound Margin of +1.4 in the 2024-2025 season.
The 7 Most Crucial Developments Shaping AUM Basketball
The 2024-2025 season was a launchpad for several key narratives that will define the Warhawks' immediate future. These developments highlight both the challenges and the immense potential within the program.
1. The Rise of Ashlee' Phillips and Women's Program Stability
The Women's Basketball team experienced a significant shift with the appointment of Ashlee' Phillips as Head Coach for the 2024-2025 season. Phillips, in her first season at the helm, brought a fresh perspective aimed at building on the program's recent successes. Her leadership is crucial for maintaining stability and momentum in the highly competitive GSC. The team finished the season with a respectable 12-16 overall record and a 10-12 conference mark, demonstrating their ability to compete.
2. Malachi Rhodes' Dominance in Men's Scoring
The Men's team found a consistent offensive anchor in Malachi Rhodes. The forward led the Warhawks in scoring for the 2024-2025 campaign, tallying 217 total points. Rhodes' performance was a bright spot, providing the team with a reliable presence in the paint and a go-to scorer in high-pressure GSC matchups, such as their games against rivals like Lee University.
3. Coaching Transition on the Men's Side
A major development was the change in leadership for the Men's program, with Joe Brooks stepping into the role of Interim Head Coach. This transition marks a critical juncture for the team, requiring the players to adapt to new systems and strategies quickly. Brooks' ability to motivate and guide the team through this period will be vital for any success in the upcoming seasons.
4. Women's Team Rebounding Advantage
Despite a challenging schedule, the AUM Women's team managed to secure a positive Rebound Margin of +1.4 in the 2024-2025 season. This statistic is highly indicative of a team’s effort, physicality, and coaching emphasis on winning the battle on the boards. Out-rebounding opponents, especially in a tough conference like the GSC, is a strong foundation for future defensive and offensive success.
5. The Three-Point Threat of Shelby McAllister
Guard Shelby McAllister emerged as a sharpshooter for the Women's team. In a notable performance against the Delta State Lady Statesmen, McAllister led all scorers with 15 points, all of which came from five successful three-point shots. Her ability to stretch the floor and hit from deep is a crucial offensive weapon that Coach Phillips will look to maximize in the future. Other key guards like Tatum Shaw and Tamora Brown also contribute to the team's perimeter threat.
6. The Men's Team Offensive Output (78.0 PPG)
The AUM Men's team averaged a solid 78.0 points per game (PPG) over their 27 games in the 2024-2025 season, accumulating 2105 total points. While the team's conference record of 9-18 suggests defensive improvements are needed, this high offensive output proves the Warhawks have the firepower to compete in shootouts and keep pace with high-scoring GSC rivals. The challenge for the new coaching staff will be balancing this offensive aggression with defensive consistency.
7. The Gulf South Conference Gauntlet
The defining entity for AUM Basketball is the Gulf South Conference. The GSC is notoriously difficult, featuring perennial NCAA tournament contenders. Competing in this conference, which includes institutions with strong athletic traditions, ensures that AUM is constantly tested. Their commitment to the GSC and NCAA Division II status signals a long-term goal of achieving national prominence within this highly competitive environment, leveraging their home court advantage at the AUM Athletics Complex to secure crucial conference wins.
Looking Ahead: The Warhawks' Future Trajectory
The Auburn University at Montgomery basketball program is clearly focused on upward mobility. The 2024-2025 season served as a foundational year, marked by significant individual achievements like Malachi Rhodes' scoring and promising team stats like the Women's positive rebound margin. The new coaching leadership, particularly Joe Brooks for the Men's team and Ashlee' Phillips for the Women's team, are tasked with translating these individual sparks into consistent team victories.
For the Men's Warhawks, the path to success will involve shoring up the defense to complement their strong 78.0 PPG offense, while the Women's Warhawks will aim to leverage their rebounding edge and three-point specialists like Shelby McAllister to climb the GSC standings. As the Warhawks continue to recruit and develop talent, their status as a competitive NCAA Division II program in the Gulf South Conference will only solidify.
Detail Author:
- Name : Hosea Vandervort
- Username : parker.blair
- Email : cremin.collin@hotmail.com
- Birthdate : 1993-01-01
- Address : 86744 Kaycee Highway East Casimer, CO 52685-0486
- Phone : +1 (510) 509-3505
- Company : Nitzsche, Macejkovic and Conroy
- Job : Computer Systems Analyst
- Bio : Delectus et beatae quia architecto officiis. Ullam quaerat neque ut dolores distinctio natus. Voluptas magnam corporis ipsa.
Socials
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@rudolphgrant
- username : rudolphgrant
- bio : Esse nulla et expedita temporibus eligendi eum commodi.
- followers : 4654
- following : 1251
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/rudolph_id
- username : rudolph_id
- bio : Ut et quos repudiandae aut itaque est. Alias suscipit quis libero sunt eveniet.
- followers : 1473
- following : 1289
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/rudolph.grant
- username : rudolph.grant
- bio : Ea assumenda delectus earum. Et corrupti inventore voluptatem dolores.
- followers : 5123
- following : 1356
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/rudolph_grant
- username : rudolph_grant
- bio : Vel voluptate hic atque debitis.
- followers : 142
- following : 2131
