In Xavier’s Baha Mar Hoops Summer League opener against the University of Victoria on Aug. 8, Desmond Claude committed his fourth foul with 16:39 remaining in regulation with a reach-in violation.
Just over a one half into the season already offered a learning experience for the sophomore guard.
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“He (Claude) has to understand that the role he has on this year’s team, a silly foul or a silly two fouls can really cost him and cost our team,” Xavier head coach Sean Miller said after the game. “He probably learned a valuable lesson that every foul he commits counts, and he doesn’t have the luxury of committing one when he’s not alert on an ill-advised play.”
Claude watched the film from the game and agreed.
“Although it wasn’t my intention (to foul), that’s just something I have to hyperfocus on. For me to have a bigger role this year, I definitely have to avoid that,” Claude told The Enquirer Thursday.
The role for Claude is simple: be one of Xavier’s key leaders and contributors on both ends of the court in his second season with the Musketeers. Claude showcased his potential in the Bahamas, scoring 21 points against the University of Victoria to go with eight rebounds. In the final exhibition contest, he played 22 minutes without a foul as Xavier ran past Bahamas Raw Talent Elite, 123-58. Overall, in two games, Claude finished with a team-high 43 points on 16-of-27 shooting with 12 boards and three assists.
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“Personally, I want to make the big jump this year and they (coaches) want me to make the big jump, too,” Claude said. “We all locked in together and figured out ways to help me. The big thing for me was confidence on top of building off the experience from last year. It’s just a matter of me doing what I do and that was being a good player, scoring when I can, locking up defensively and being more aggressive.”
The veteran of the group
“Being an experienced player, the role that he (Claude) has on this year’s team, it’s much, much different than being a young freshman on the team a year ago on that team,” Miller said.
Last year, Claude was a freshman from Putnam Science Academy joining a Xavier roster that was stacked with experience that eventually anchored the program to a Sweet 16 run in Miller’s first season back with the Musketeers.
Claude eventually flashed toward the end of the year, scoring in double figures five times over Xavier’s final 12 games, including an 11-point performance in a win over Pittsburgh in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
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“Although I adapted pretty well and really quickly to college basketball, there will still kinks here and there that I hadn’t figured out like pace, physicality and just playing against stronger guys with more…
Read More: Desmond Claude hoping to ‘make the big jump’ for Xavier basketball 2023-08-31 23:22:59