Xavier added another dynamic scoring guard from the portal as the roster reshape continues.
First the news:
NEWS: Toledo transfer guard Dante Maddox Jr. has committed to Xavier, he tells @On3sports.
Averaged 15.6 PPG, shooting 40% from three this season. Also visited Louisville, Illinois, and TCU. https://t.co/rBUXhZAo5z pic.twitter.com/mWYnUwnSV1
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 18, 2024
Maddox will be using his final year of eligibility at Xavier after spending two years apiece at Cal State Fullerton and, most recently, Toledo. Maddox was voted Second Team All-MAC last season after averaging 15.6/4.3/2.8 on his way to helping lead the Rockets to the regular season title. Maddox joins Dayvion McKnight and Marcus Foster as guards who are confirmed to be a part of Xavier’s roster in the upcoming season. He profiles as much more of a three level scorer than Foster, who operates nearly exclusively at the rim or three point line. Between Maddox and Foster, Xavier has now brought in 120 made three pointers to offset the loss of Quincy Olivari. Although Maddox doesn’t convert quite as efficiently inside the arc as McKnight, his 54% at the rim and 39% in the mid range are both comparable to Souley Boum’s final season at UTEP and Quincy Olivari’s at Rice and his ability to get to the free throw line and convert falls in line with the established trend as well. Maddox cited the success of each of those two as a factor in his decision to commit to play for Sean Miller and Xavier.
The previous additions of Foster and big man John Hugley IV indicated Xavier’s continued adaptation to the NIL/Portal era is progressing nicely. With Maddox in the fold, Xavier looks like they are going to be equipped to contend toward the top of the Big East again.