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Xavier Basketball: Examining the Musketeers 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes

By Daniel Benjamin

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 18: The Xavier Musketeers mascot performs during the game between the Weber State Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 18, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 18: The Xavier Musketeers mascot performs during the game between the Weber State Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 18, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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Elias King, Snellville, Georgia

King became Steele’s first recruiting commit when he gave his verbal to the Musketeers in the middle of May. The former Georgia commit chose Xavier over offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Memphis and Louisville among others.

King is ranked as 26th small forward in the class by ESPN.  The 6-foot-8 wing is both physically gifted and ultra talented. He excels in the open court and has the ability to put up points in a hurry. Defensively, King has room to grow though he is expected to be able to defend both forward positions down the road due to his length.

King averaged 9.6 points along with 3.4 rebounds in seven games Nike EYBL games this summer with the Georgia Stars.

King’s game-high was 15 points though he struggled with his shot most of the EYBL season, knocking down just 36.6% (26-71) of his shot attempts including 25.7% (7-27) from beyond the arc. King plays for Lincoln Academy during the high school season.

*Editor’s note: Right after this article was written King decommitted from Xavier, reopening the recruiting process.

Daniel Ramsey, Albany, Georgia

Ramsey gave Steele his second 2019 commitment when he verbally agreed to play for the Musketeers on Aug. 6. Ramsey ranked 130th in the country by 247 Sports Composite, also held offers from Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Georgia Tech among others.

Ramsey has a college-ready body and is very strong. The athletic 6-foot-8 power forward is excellent around the rim on both ends of the court. He is an excellent defensive rebounder and shot-blocker. However, Ramsey needs to continue to work on his low-post moves and scoring with both hands.

Ramsey averaged 16.1 points along with 7.9 caroms in 15 varsity games this past season at Deerfield-Windsor High. Ramsey also produced six double-doubles.

Dwon Odom, Alpheretta, Georgia

Steele went into Georgia once again to secure his first commitment for the Class of 2020. Odom, a four-star recruit, verbally agreed to join the Musketeers in two years on July 30.

The 6-foot-3 point guard has everything a team wants in a lead guard. He is athletically explosive and physically gifted. The super quick one guard is excellent at getting rim, using his strength to finish through contact. Odom has a very good feel for the game and high basketball IQ which he uses to create plays for himself as well as others.

Odom had

an excellent sophomore season for St. Francis School

. The Georgia Class A Region 6 Player of the Year, averaged 15.6 points along with 7.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds along with 2.0 steals in 2017-18. He shot 60% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. In addition, he produced eight double-doubles and two triple-doubles. Odom chose Xavier over Georgia Tech, Rutgers, Virginia and Virginia Tech.