11/7/05 - Native Texan Picks Big 12 By Dave Telep Xavier Silas, a shooting guard out of San Antonio, is headed to play in the Big 12. Silas, the son of a former ABA standout, reached his decision this week. Xavier Silas headed to Brewster Academy and as a result, pumped up his collegiate recruitment. This week, following an official visit, Silas picked the Colorado Buffaloes after listening to pitches from Providence, Nebraska, California, Rice and SMU. During his brief time at Brewster, Coach Jason Smith has been impressed with Silas’ overall approach to the game. “What I’ve been impressed with is his understanding,” Smith said. “He doesn’t force the issue and he’s got a pretty high basketball IQ. His mid-range game has really stood out. He’s a kid that uses shoot fakes and escape dribbles and pulls up from 15 feet to knock it down.” The Buffaloes, owners of commitments from Dale VanWright, Dwight Thorne and Jeremy Williams, have strung together a nice four-man class. The Buffaloes are using the playing time carrot to get it done with recruits this season. “The opportunity that they put in front of me. I have a chance to come in and play as a freshman and that’s a great opportunity.” 10/23/05 - Xavier Silas Commits in Big 12 Xavier Silas, a 6' 5", 200 pound shooting guard, a Senior at Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, NH makes a verbal commitment to the University of Colorado at Boulder. The 6'5 Silas, at Austin High School last year, averaged 24.8 PPG and led the District 16 5A Team to an undefeated season. Xavier Silas is the son of San Antonio Spurs All-Star James Silas. Xavier Silas is considered one of the best "2 Guards" in the Country! It is rumored he will be in the running for “Freshman of the Year” in the Big 12 ’06-07 season! Silas states his visit to Colorado University at Boulder this past week led him to make a verbal commitment at this time. Silas states, “Colorado has everything I am looking for, the teaching Coach, a strong team, a great research university and the opportunity to lead the team to a Conference Championship while preparing me for a real opportunity for the” next level”. "In the meantime, my goal is to lead Brewster Academy’s Bobcat team to a NEPSC (NewEngland Preparatory School Conference) championship. I think we have a real shot at it. The Bobcat team is loaded with D-1 talent and I am glad to be a part of it." Coach Smith is a players coach and I love being a part of his system!” Quote from Coach Smith, Head Coach Men’s Basketball Brewster Academy “He has a very high basketball IQ,” Smith said. “What separates him 8/2/05 - Silas Picking Up Offers Despite being a dominant offensive force at the high school level at Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin and being the son of a former NBA star, the recruitment of Xavier Silas never really took off. So the athletic 6-foot-4, 190-pound swingman decided to do a year of prep school - which he'll do at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. That allowed him to play on the AAU circuit one more time - which is what he did this past summer with the San Antonio Celtics - and now he's picked up high-major interest and offers. "Playing with the Celtics was fun and a good experience," Silas said. "I got a lot of exposure playing with them, and I got to know a lot of people too. I made some really good friends." Running with the Celtics also gave Silas the chance to tune up his skills. "I improved just my overall game," Silas said. "I stepped up and improved by playing with such good players. A lot of my skills improved, mainly because I was able to play guard instead of playing down low." Another benefit from AAU play, of course, was getting the chance to play in front of college coaches and evaluators. He certainly made some positive impressions, as he's earned two scholarship offers and has the attention of others. Look for him to sign early. "I'm probably going to make a decision in early November, but I'm not really sure yet," Silas said. "Everything is still wide open. I've heard from Arizona and Stanford, and I have offers from Colorado and Nebraska. I don't really have a top four or anything, but these are the one at the top of my list." Each of the schools in this quartet appeals to Silas in their own way. "I like all the schools and like their basketball history," Silas said. "I like Colorado and Nebraska because they're in the Big 12. Arizona - I'd love to play for Lute Olson. And Stanford - it's a great academic opportunity, and the basketball is good up there too." Now that AAU is over, Silas has started thinking about where he'll take his official visits. He's already got one planned to Colorado in late September, and the rest of his dates are open. In fact, he's still keeping his ears open for any other possibilities. "I'm definitely open to everyone right now," Silas said. "But I should start narrowing things down the next couple of weeks." Silas is looking at a couple of things when it comes to what he wants from a college and basketball program. "I definitely want to play as a true freshman," Silas said. "Location doesn't really matter - basketball is basketball wherever you go. I'm looking at the relationship with the coaches, the setting of the school, and how my family feels about it. I don't make any decisions without my dad - he's the heart and soul of my recruiting." While Silas and his family are handling his recruitment, he's also preparing for his prep year at Brewster. He's got a couple of goals in mind for his fifth year. "I definitely want to get a little stronger and improve in all my skills," he said. Texas Hoops Analysis: Xavier is a long and trim athlete who slashes and finishes at the rim. He has a quick first step, can really get into the lane and finishes well on the move. He can knock down the open perimeter shot with 3 point range, handles it well in the open floor and sees the floor well. 5/2/05 - Silas Headed to Prep School Xavier Silas recently decided to spend next season at Brewster Academy and reclassify as a 2006 senior. Xavier Silas had opportunities knocking on his door this past season, but they were not exactly what he was looking for, so the 6-4 190-pound wing guard from Austin, TX has decided to spend next season at Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy. 2/22/05 - Silas Having Stellar Season Xavier Silas' basketball roots run deep, as his father played in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs in the 1980's. At 6-4 190-pounds wing guard Xavier Silas definitely has the ability to play at the Division I level. Where Silas will play his college ball is still to be determined, but he definitely has been receiving interest from numerous schools throughout this season at Austin, TX. Silas recently led Austin to a perfect 14-0 district record and a Class 5A District 16 Title, capped off by a 45-44 win over their rival Austin, TX Bowie last week. Austin is 27-5 overall on the season. Silas, who has received interest from Kentucky, Stanford, Texas, Texas San Antonio and USC, is probably known more by his nickname - "the X Factor". The younger Silas definitely knows how to put the ball in the hoop, as he is currently averaging 23.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, and has scored over 30 points five times so far this season. Silas will lead Austin as they head into post-season play this week. Austin received a bye in the first round of Bi-District play and will face the winner of Austin, TX Westlake and Austin, TX RR McNeil on Thursday. Austin High pounds Hays, grabs first place in District 16-5A Austin American Article about Austin High vs. Seguin, includes a quote by Xavier (site requires free registration) |