(2023) - C Xavier Booker to Michigan State

[GloryDays 5,946]

6 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

#crushingit

#coachlovesme

#beastmode

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,237]

Stockrisers.com

I made a trip down to Indy on Jan. 24 for the Indianapolis City Championship, thinking it was going to be headlined by Top-100 junior Xavier Booker. Unfortunately, Booker saw limited minutes in the win for Cathedral Prep. 

But man, in the limited minutes for the 6’10, 210-pound forward, his major potential and freak athleticism were put on display. I watched the Indiana big man on multiple occasions including last Spring and this past Summer, and most recently after seeing his limited minutes in that championship game, Booker has also made some huge physical improvements.

He looked like he added a few more pounds and looked even more versatile running down the floor.

Yes, I would’ve loved to see more game action for the Top-100 prospect, but, it was good to see that he’s in the weight room getting his body right as the end of the season is near and AAU ball is approaching for the talented junior. 

With Cathedral being very balanced this year, Booker has seen 19.4 minutes of game action per game and is still putting up very nice numbers which include 12.5 points and nearly 6.5 rebounds per game. College coaches are extremely interested in the dynamic four-man and the list of schools continues to grow.

He most recently saw himself on Indiana’s campus, as well as Notre Dame’s campus, both were visits of the unofficial capacity. It’s currently TBD as to when Booker will begin taking his official visits, but, he dove into that in his interview with Stockrisers.com.

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Which schools are heavily involved in your recruitment?

“Notre Dame, Indiana, Xavier, Michigan, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois.”

Any new schools?

“Not right now. I expect it to pick up during the summer.”

What’s Indiana’s pitch and your relationship with Mike Woodson?

“The pitch really is them wanting me to just keep developing my body and my skills and just growing as an individual. They want me ready as soon as I come in (not committed) and they talk all the time about how they need a big who can space the floor, put it on the floor, shoot, defend, and of course finish. They think I would fit in perfectly. My relationship with Coach Woodson is pretty good, he checks in on me every week and he calls me sometimes, they are normally great conversations.”

Notre Dame’s pitch?

“It’s pretty much the exact same thing [As Indiana] but, I really like and have a great relationship with Coach Soloman, the assistant coach, and Coach Brey as well.”

Is Michigan State still heavily involved?

“They are heavily involved, as well. Coach Montgomery reaches out the most and Coach Izzo reaches out sometimes as well.”

Current visit plans?

“I don’t have any scheduled as of now but I will start taking officials when my season is over.”

A full breakdown of your game?

“I would say I’m a stretch-four type of big. I like to shoot the three and my mid-range pull-up is becoming really good. I like putting the ball on the floor, I can break my defender down really well for someone my height. I’m a very good playmaker also, I see the floor very well and know how to set my teammates up. My post-game is pretty strong too. When I’m attacking the rim I rarely ever get stopped because I use my height and length to my advantage. My IQ is going up over time and as I learn more about the game and learn how to deal with certain situations, but, I would say I have a pretty high IQ.”

Goals for AAU basketball this year?

“Just improve my game in every aspect. I'm good at a lot of thing but you can always be better and I am going to be working to earn more offers from schools like Duke and Kentucky. Also, just getting stronger physically.”

Early commitment timeline?

“Undecided right now, but, probably when I just know the time is right.”

What are you looking for in a college program?

“Somewhere I know I’ll fit into every aspect of the school. I want to have a family type of bond with the coaches and players and I wanna go somewhere where I know I’ll be able to play right away. Obviously, it takes work, but just a coach who believes in my ability and lets me play my game, and doesn’t limit me. Also somewhere the education is very high level.”

[Stuhoo 82,451]

20 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

 

What are you looking for in a college program?

“Somewhere I know I’ll fit into every aspect of the school. I want to have a family type of bond with the coaches and players and I wanna go somewhere where I know I’ll be able to play right away. Obviously, it takes work, but just a coach who believes in my ability and lets me play my game, and doesn’t limit me. Also somewhere the education is very high level.”

 

 

If this is a priority he should change high schools.

 

[Hovadipo 57,325]

19 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

What’s Indiana’s pitch and your relationship with Mike Woodson?

“The pitch really is them wanting me to just keep developing my body and my skills and just growing as an individual.

That reads less like a pitch and more like a to-do list for making this offer committable. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,237]

In the New Albany game, Booker played 15 min.  scoring 4 pts. on 2-8 FG; 0-4 on 3s; 0 FT; 3 reb; 1 asst;  1 stl; 3 blk; 2 TO.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,237]

 Cathedral 72, Bosco Institute 58. Jr Booker 16pts, 8rebs, 3blks

Haven't seen why and they certainly didn't need him but Tayshawn Comer did not  play in Cathedral's game this evening. 

[Stuhoo 82,451]

3 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

 Cathedral 72, Bosco Institute 58. Jr Booker 16pts, 8rebs, 3blks

Haven't seen why and they certainly didn't need him but Tayshawn Comer did not  play in Cathedral's game this evening. 

Hope it wasn’t because he was hanging out with five Hoosiers!

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,237]

Cathedral defeated Franklin Central 72-56.  Booker 20p  17r  3a  2s  6b  4t.  This was Cathedral's second game without the services of Tayshawn Comer who at the last game was reportedly wearing a boot.  No idea the severity or extent of Comer's injury but Cathedral really needs Booker to step up and help replace Comer's 17 ppg.

[Hovadipo 57,325]

Doesn’t even look like the same guy. 

[Stuhoo 82,451]

19 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

Doesn’t even look like the same guy. 

Still laying it in around the rim instead of slamming it home.

He looks like Marcus Bingham’s identical twin.

[AKHoosier 7,111]

19 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

Doesn’t even look like the same guy. 

Very few of those players he scored against in the video look much over 6'5".  I still don't know if I'd be very excited if he committed to IU right now.

[Hovadipo 57,325]

Just now, AKHoosier said:

Very few of those players he scored against in the video look much over 6'5".  I still don't know if I'd be very excited if he committed to IU right now.

Not saying that. Just not ripping on a guy for a 20-17 performance after a bunch of 4-2 performances. 

[AKHoosier 7,111]

12 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

Not saying that. Just not ripping on a guy for a 20-17 performance after a bunch of 4-2 performances. 

Yeah I wasn't saying you were, I appreciate posting the video.  I was just commenting on what I saw after I watched his highlights.  He had good numbers against Marian in my neck of the woods, but they have no size at all either.

I want to be excited about this kid because it sounds like he really likes IU, but idk.  

[Hoosierfanyuh 2,707]

I think hes more of a realistic get than kj evans. All the things this forum complains ab for him woodson wouldnt let fly. I think a marcus bingham comp is pretty good and i think bookers shot is way better. We need height at minimum. 

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,991]

1 hour ago, Hoosierfanyuh said:

I think hes more of a realistic get than kj evans. All the things this forum complains ab for him woodson wouldnt let fly. I think a marcus bingham comp is pretty good and i think bookers shot is way better. We need height at minimum. 

We need bigs even if they are projects. Want to see way more from Booker. The games he disappears are very curious at the least. I get the feeling Booker is a big that doesn’t embrace being a big and sees himself more like a Kevin Durant wannabe.  Maybe not. Anyway, the scouts continue to be high on him .  Keeps me interested at a minimum. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,237]

90-60 Cathedral win over Chatard.  Booker only played 10 min. finishing with 9p  4r  5a  1s  2b  1t.  Cathedral led 28-10 after the 1st Q and the game was over.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,237]

Recruiting update from NY2LASports.com

http://www.ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=5245#.Yg69p9bOgkg.twitter

[Gnet550 934]

6 hours ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Recruiting update from NY2LASports.com

http://www.ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=5245#.Yg69p9bOgkg.twitter

Booker seems to have all the skills if he could just put them together consistently he’d be a monster….he’s the type of kid I definitely don’t feel like is a “must get”, but I also feel like if he goes elsewhere we will regret it. Not sure but I get that vibe

[craigyv88 384]

8 hours ago, Gnet550 said:

Booker seems to have all the skills if he could just put them together consistently he’d be a monster….he’s the type of kid I definitely don’t feel like is a “must get”, but I also feel like if he goes elsewhere we will regret it. Not sure but I get that vibe

I definitely feel the same way.  If nothing else he provides high potential upside at what will be a position of need.  We haven't had a 6'10"+ kid with this type of athletic skill since TB left in 2017, and you gotta have it in the B1G as far as I'm concerned.  Not to mention per Rivals Booker is still the highest rated in-state prospect for '23 and none from '24 are even on the radar at this point (not counting La Lumiere kids not actually from IN).

[Stuhoo 82,451]

1 hour ago, craigyv88 said:

I definitely feel the same way.  If nothing else he provides high potential upside at what will be a position of need.  We haven't had a 6'10"+ kid with this type of athletic skill since TB left in 2017, and you gotta have it in the B1G as far as I'm concerned.  Not to mention per Rivals Booker is still the highest rated in-state prospect for '23 and none from '24 are even on the radar at this point (not counting La Lumiere kids not actually from IN).

 

Thomas Bryant played with enthusiasm and wasn't afraid to mix it up; in fact he relished it. 

I want talented players, but those talented players have to fit into a culture of loving the game. I am not seeing that here. Neither is his high school coach, Jason Delaney. He's an extremely successful coach and has parked Booker on the bench for long stretches of many games during his junior year.. Yet IU should be pushing for him?

Xavier Booker has blown off trips to Bloomington on multiple occasions at the last minute.   His recent interview highlights how he is dreaming of offers from Duke and UK.

No. Thank. You. If Jason Delaney starts to buy in, that's when IU should start to buy in.

Until then, if we're gonna take a flyer on a project, let's take one on a player that gives a ****.