In last season's NCAA Tournament, Amir Khan became a viral star.

Commonly referred to as "Aura", he served as McNeese basketball's student manager, and more importantly, hype man.

He went viral Feb. 2025 thanks to a video of him rapping while wearing a boombox around his neck as he led the Cowboys out of the locker room. It became a tradition and he'd often be spotted with jewelry and other notable accessories. He even received sponsorship deals.

"(The aura) really just comes from all these players," Khan told The Oklahoman ahead of McNeese's first round game against Vanderbilt in Oklahoma City. "I'm just holding the speaker, walking out with them, and it comes from their excitement, their hype, and what they do on the court. If we weren't three-peat Southland champions, I don't think all of this would've happened."

When Will Wade left McNeese to take the coaching job at NC State after last season, Khan followed him to Raleigh, where he took on a similar role for the Wolfpack. However, earlier this year, Khan returned to McNeese and is back for another Cowboys' ride in March Madness.

"I don't feel the need to change anything just because I walk out with the speaker," Khan said. "I've been able to experience a lot, and I'm just blessed to be able to do this position. I appreciate all the love from everybody, it means a lot and we'll keep it going as long as we can."

Expect to see him front and center as McNeese tries pull off a second NCAA upset in as many years. Khan watched McNeese beat Clemson last year, and he believes another surprise could be in the cards Thursday.

"(Teams) don't wanna play us," he said. "I saw Vanderbilt's reaction. I don't think they were too excited to play us as a 12-seed. I think that's something that's gonna keep going forward."

The Oklahoman reporter Isa Almeida contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McNeese hype man Amir 'Aura' Khan back with Cowboys in NCAA Tournament