TicketsCINCINNATI – Mika (pronounced MY-ka) Adams-Woods and Chris McNeal are the latest additions to the University of Cincinnati men's basketball roster for the 2019-20 season, Bearcats head coach John Brannen announced Friday.
Adams-Woods, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard from Syracuse, N.Y., earned New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AAA first-team honors each of the past two seasons at the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. Adams-Woods was rated as the No. 10 prospect in New England by the New England Recruiting Report and the No. 2 player in the state. He was also the No. 34 point guard nationally according to Rivals.com.
The left-hander averaged 19.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 52.5 percent from three-point range during the 2018-19 season. In his first season at New Hampton, Adams-Woods helped lead his team to a runner-up finish at the 2018 NEPSAC AAA Championship while averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals.
"Mika is a long, skilled lefty point guard," Brannen said. "He is a very good shooter with deep range and consistently makes the right play. Mika also causes havoc defensively with his 6-foot-7 wingspan.
"More than anything, Mika adds to our culture. He is a fierce competitor and brings tremendous energy every day. His mature approach will help him contribute early in his career."
Prior to attending New Hampton, Adams-Woods spent three seasons at Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse, N.Y., where he scored over 1,200 points. He averaged 19.8 points as a junior in 2016-17 while earning first-team All-Central New York honors.
Adams-Woods signed a grant-in-aid with the Bearcats and will have four seasons of eligibility beginning 2019-20.
McNeal, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound point guard from Jackson, Tenn., sat out the 2018-19 season at Tennessee Tech after transferring from New Mexico. McNeal saw action in all 34 games with 19 starts for the Lobos during the 2017-18 season, averaging 9.5 points and 2.7 assists in 24.4 minutes. He finished second on the team in assists (93) and third in three-pointers (56). McNeal posted a trio of 20-point games, including a career-best 29 points with seven three-pointers against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 21, 2017.
McNeal was named a junior college honorable mention All-American in 2016-17 at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, helping guide the Warriors to a 29-5 record, Region XI regular season and postseason titles, a district title game appearance and appearance in the national tournament. He averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 assists while making 83 three-pointers. He scored 30 points on 11-of-23 shooting against Southwestern Community College on Jan. 7, 2017.
McNeal's college career started at Western Kentucky where he played in all 34 games during his freshman season, averging 5.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 28.0 minutes. His 134 assists were the most by a freshman in school history.
"We are very excited that Chris will be joining us as a graduate transfer this season," Brannen said. "Chris brings a level of maturity and experience to the point guard position that will be very important for this year's team. Bearcats Nation join me in welcoming Chris to the University of Cincinnati. "
In high school, McNeal was a two-time all-state selection and finalist for the 2015 Tennessee Class AA Mr. Basketball award for while averaging 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals as a senior at South Side High School in Jackson, Tenn. He helped lead his team to the 2014 state championship while finishing his career with more than 1,800 points, 500 assists, 300 rebounds and 200 steals.
McNeal signed a grant-in-aid with the Bearcats and, as a graduate transfer, has one season of eligibility beginning in 2019-20.
Adams-Woods, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard from Syracuse, N.Y., earned New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AAA first-team honors each of the past two seasons at the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. Adams-Woods was rated as the No. 10 prospect in New England by the New England Recruiting Report and the No. 2 player in the state. He was also the No. 34 point guard nationally according to Rivals.com.
The left-hander averaged 19.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 52.5 percent from three-point range during the 2018-19 season. In his first season at New Hampton, Adams-Woods helped lead his team to a runner-up finish at the 2018 NEPSAC AAA Championship while averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals.
"Mika is a long, skilled lefty point guard," Brannen said. "He is a very good shooter with deep range and consistently makes the right play. Mika also causes havoc defensively with his 6-foot-7 wingspan.
"More than anything, Mika adds to our culture. He is a fierce competitor and brings tremendous energy every day. His mature approach will help him contribute early in his career."
Prior to attending New Hampton, Adams-Woods spent three seasons at Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse, N.Y., where he scored over 1,200 points. He averaged 19.8 points as a junior in 2016-17 while earning first-team All-Central New York honors.
Adams-Woods signed a grant-in-aid with the Bearcats and will have four seasons of eligibility beginning 2019-20.
McNeal, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound point guard from Jackson, Tenn., sat out the 2018-19 season at Tennessee Tech after transferring from New Mexico. McNeal saw action in all 34 games with 19 starts for the Lobos during the 2017-18 season, averaging 9.5 points and 2.7 assists in 24.4 minutes. He finished second on the team in assists (93) and third in three-pointers (56). McNeal posted a trio of 20-point games, including a career-best 29 points with seven three-pointers against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 21, 2017.
McNeal was named a junior college honorable mention All-American in 2016-17 at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, helping guide the Warriors to a 29-5 record, Region XI regular season and postseason titles, a district title game appearance and appearance in the national tournament. He averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 assists while making 83 three-pointers. He scored 30 points on 11-of-23 shooting against Southwestern Community College on Jan. 7, 2017.
McNeal's college career started at Western Kentucky where he played in all 34 games during his freshman season, averging 5.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 28.0 minutes. His 134 assists were the most by a freshman in school history.
"We are very excited that Chris will be joining us as a graduate transfer this season," Brannen said. "Chris brings a level of maturity and experience to the point guard position that will be very important for this year's team. Bearcats Nation join me in welcoming Chris to the University of Cincinnati. "
In high school, McNeal was a two-time all-state selection and finalist for the 2015 Tennessee Class AA Mr. Basketball award for while averaging 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals as a senior at South Side High School in Jackson, Tenn. He helped lead his team to the 2014 state championship while finishing his career with more than 1,800 points, 500 assists, 300 rebounds and 200 steals.
McNeal signed a grant-in-aid with the Bearcats and, as a graduate transfer, has one season of eligibility beginning in 2019-20.