Xavier Gurdak brings physicality and athleticism to the wing at 6’5. His numbers — 7.0 points per game on 66.7% shooting from both the field and three — only tell part of the story. He excels in hustle plays, defense, and energy. He performs the little things that don’t always show up in the box score. These are crucial to winning.

Gurdak was the most impressive freshman that I saw on the B side. The 6-foot-5 well-put together wing is a fluid athlete who brings a commanding sense of physicality to the floor. His older brother, Christian (Va Tech), was a bruising big man who shined for Gonzaga but his brother seems to have more of a perimeter-based skillset. He’s another prospect that poses as a mismatch problem because of his combination of size and strength, which was on display when opposing wings tried to keep him away from the bucket. He absorbs contact well and maintains focus on finishes to convert through the harm. He’s a capable shot maker from three to keep his defender honest as well. Gurdak’s best performance came in the slim semifinal loss where he led the way with an impressive 26-point outing where the scoring ability was showcased. He averaged 19 points per game on 56 percent shooting from the field in the two games played.

The Gurdak name should be familiar  to local hoop fans, with Christian now in the Virginia Tech rotation as a freshman after a standout career in the WCAC. Now his younger brother Xavier, a repeat freshman via Gonzaga (DC), is beginning to ascend as one of the more intriguing young wings in the state. Despite an overtime loss at the buzzer, Gurdak authored one of the best individual performances of the day, looking unstoppable at times on his way to 26 points. He was a constant force using a mix of quickness, strength, and skill to get to the rim seemingly whenever he wanted. With the game on the line in the fourth quarter and overtime, he showed his perimeter ability with a pair of clutch catch-and-shoot 3s. We’ll be eager to see more moving forward, with Gurdak possessing a different game from that of his brother but quite the intriguing upside nonetheless.

Xavier made play after play in an interesting matchup at the challenge. Hit a collection of critical shots in this game to both keep his team in arms reach or to potentially take back the lead by the end of the game. Got into the paint a number of times after attacking the closeout and finished with power and strength, converting and-1’s and/or drawing fouls. His shot selection was tremendous, mixing in a good amount of perimeter jumpers and adding in strong slashes to the basket. Xavier played defense at a high level and came up with a lot of steals and reflections in the passing lane. Never let up and benefited both himself and the team as Saint James almost came from behind to accomplish a big win at the very start of the IAC/MAC Challenge. Xavier established himself well as a rising star freshman.

9p 7r 1a 2s 1b 1 charge vs PVI (JV)

-Loved the all-around impact from a T25 performer in the local class in a game against PVI. Gurdak plays with tremendous feel both on and off the ball, never in a rush but always is the first to react with loose balls or rebounds that pinball around between players. Gurdak scored off a peel to the rim after using a back screen on a BLOB play, timed a lift from the baseline into an elbow jumper off the catch, dribbled into a 3 in transition, jumped passing lanes to snag two steals, and took a big charge in transition. If he can grow anywhere near the height of big bro, his versatile skill base should make him a big-time recruit.

The little brother of Chris Gurdak. The younger Gurdak does most of damage out on the perimeter. Impress with his ability to handle the ball and play out on the perimeter making plays on or off the ball.