Prospect Spotlight: Xavier Lipscomb (2020)

Over the past five or so years, the game of basketball has experienced significant changes in terms of positions on the floor. For instance, frontcourt players are no longer expected to only have the ability to score on the block with their back to the basket. They must be able to shoot efficiently from the perimeter and be athletic enough to put the ball on the floor and guard multiple positions. With the evolution of the point guard position, you don't see many floor generals in today's game. Players like Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving have helped mold a blueprint that the point guard should also be an elite scorer.

2020 St. Stephen's & St. Agnes/Team Durant Xavier Lipscomb is finding a happy medium in his game between being a facilitator and a scorer. We recently saw the 6-foot-2 guard this past weekend in the Capitol Hoops Summer League as he recorded 12 points (5-of-7 shooting), eight rebounds and four assists in a 72-43 victory.

The stat line that he posted reflects his overall game well. He's a strong, left-handed guard that can contribute in every category. While his jumpshot used to be the weakest point of his game, it's improved dramatically over the past year to the point where he shoots it with confidence off the dribble in pick-and-roll sets.

"My spring and summer has been going great," Lipscomb told Prep Hoops. "We just qualified for Peach Jam, we just got the news. So we're looking forward to going there. We've experience some ups and downs this year, but we're just trying to get to Peach Jam and win it all. Personally, I've been focusing on my pull up jumpshot and my consistency with three's. And I'm always working on my defense."

We've seen an overflow of zone defense become the primary defense for teams even in AAU. Team Durant plays old school, like Lipscomb's game, and picks up man-to-man. This mentality translates in Lipscomb's play with St. Stephen's & St. Agnes in summer league play. Once the ball goes through the hoops for his team, he's immediately locating his man and picking up full court.

"My goals for this month include getting better over all and winning summer league," Lipscomb said. "It's a great look to see what we have for the future this season coming up."

After finishing with an 18-10 overall record last season, the Saints return a number of key pieces including Lipscomb, Charles Thompson, Christian DePollar and Chase Beasely to bolster their chances of winning the IAC.

"Everyone that is returning has improved," Lipscomb said. "We're just looking to improve off last season and win it all. I'll be taking on more of a leadership role this upcoming season. Dom Bailey, who graduated, was the vocal leader on and off the court last year, so I'm looking forward to stepping into that role."

There aren't many times during the course of the game where you see Lipcomb's mouth closed. He's always communicating on both ends. Calling out coverages defensively and facilitating his team through sets offensively.

Often times, players will talk a big game about putting in the same amount of time in the classroom as they do on the court. Lipscomb's 3.5 gpa can attest that he's a man of his word. George Washington has shown interest, but the 2020 guard currently holds no offers. That can be expected to change in the near future.