Xavier Price, a 6'4 200-pound combo guard built in the mould of current
Boiler guard Kenneth Lowe, brings skills for both backcourt positions,
tough defense and athleticism to the Boilermakers in the class of 2004.
Possessing extremely large hands able to cup the basketball "like a
softball" according to his AAU coach, he is a skilled passer and
ballhandler. He also excels in rebounding from the guard position, and
projects to start out at the shooting guard position, possibly playing
some point if his development at that position continues on a good pace.
The Price family had built a longstanding relationship with the Purdue
coaches, and especially assistant Cuonzo Martin. With the academic
status of the already verballed Robert Vaden in question, Zo continued to
keep in constant contact with Price. The staff travelled to the KMOX
Shootout last December to make their presence known, and continued
contact with the coaches. Price was looking for a school close enough
where his father could see him, plus was not interested in redshirting
his freshman year. Playing time in his first year was important. Enter
Purdue early with a great staff and program, but with this all-american
shooting guard verballed since 2001. Playing time at Purdue was
an issue. Price did not lack interest from other programs with
Oklahoma, Michigan State, Kansas State, Boston College, Connecticut,
Syracuse, Cincinnati and UNLV along with others keeping tabs on him. UNLV
would offer. Kansas State would offer. Then in April, Cincinnati offered
a scholarship and playing time. But however likeable Purdue might have
been, they couldn't offer playing time with Vaden in the fold. Then things
changed. Vaden decommitted the first week of May and Purdue came with a
scholarship offer. On the 21st, Price verballed to Purdue. Price's family
also changed school districts, moving from O'Fallon and plugging him into
the Belleville West program with everyone back from a trip to the IHSA
Elite Eight. His father Demetrius made it no secret the move was so that
Xavier could "have fun" his last year in high school.
As a junior, Price averaged 18.9 points, shooting 52-percent from the
field. He also added 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists for 15-14 O'Fallon.
As a freshman, Price won the IHSA Slam Dunk King of the Hill title held
during the Class AA state finals. At 6'3, he beat out 60 other Illinois
players, most being older and much taller. The group included future
Division I players such as Illinois freshman Brian Randle and Arkansas
sophomore showman Andre Igoudala.
Price verballed to Purdue on May 21, 2003 over offers from Cincinnati,
Kansas State and UNLV, and interest from Oklahoma, Michigan State, Boston
College, Connecticut and Syracuse.
AAU coach Erwin Claggett..."He's a team guy. He's capable of going out and
scoring 20 or 30 points every night, but he wants to win. That's not usually
what you see in AAU basketball. Xavier doesn't care if he gets two points and
we win. He's going to dive on the floor, he's going to guard people, he's
going to rebound. You can't find a player like that on his level." (June
9, 2003, Indianapolis Star)
Scouting report at the Howard Pulley Tournament..."In the limited viewing
I had of Price, he showed himself to be a very well built young wing with
very good leaping ability. His strength right now is his ability to make
strong drives to the basket, but he also showed the ability to hit the spot
up three pointer. The form on his outside shot looks pretty good, although
a tad on the slow side. One thing that really impressed me about Price was
his ability to rebound from the guard position--which was all the more
impressive given the size of the Riverside front line." (June 5, 2002,
Gator Hoops)
O'Fallon head coach Kevin Kellerman..."Xavier has exceptional skills and
great instincts, things you can't teach. A lot of freshmen will draw back into
their shell, but he is not afraid of performing. He is already being compared
to a lot of people, and he may grow to be 6-4 or 6-5. This kid has a lot of
raw potential and natural talent. Xavier definitely has the tools to be an
impact player as a freshman." (July 20, 2000)
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