4-star point guard Desmond Claude commits to Xavier

Desmond Claude, a 6-foot-5 point guard out of Oakdale (Conn.) Putnam Science Academy has committed to Xavier basketball for the class of 2022, he tells On3.

The senior guard chose the Musketeers over Louisville, Kansas, Memphis, South Carolina, Rutgers, amongst others. Claude is Xavier’s third commitment to the 2022 class. He joins four-stars Tyrell Ward and Kam Craft. Xavier head coach Travis Steele has now put together a three-man class, made up of all top-100 prospects.

Claude took an official visit to Xavier in October and recapped his trip with ZAGSBLOG. “I enjoyed it a lot,” Claude said of his trip to Xavier. “(What stood out was) their plan and how they run things over there. Their academics, basketball, and facilities were nice.”

Claude is the No. 99 prospect in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is ranked as the No. 16 point guard and the No. 2 player in Connecticut.

Scouting Report on Claude

On3’s National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw had this to say about Desmond Claude:

“Claude is a strong-bodied guard with long arms and broad shoulders. He is a solid athlete, especially in straight lines. Claude is comfortable on the ball and can get his team into sets. With some initiation responsibilities in the half-court, the 6-foot-3 guard is best used as a secondary ball-handler. He is a terrific shooter with range and soft touch when playing off the ball. Claude competes and is a solid rebounder for his position. There are some archetype similarities to former Syracuse guard Brandon Triche.”

On Xavier’s current roster, Paul Scruggs and Nate Johnson are classified as seniors and in their fifth seasons. They will be out of eligibility following this year. Adam Kunkel and Ben Stanley are both also listed as seniors but still have a COVID year option.