Xavier Munford was Hapoel Tel Aviv’s first new import for the 2022/23 season as the guard will look to help the Reds as they compete in both the Israeli League and EuroCup competition.
The 30-year old played at three colleges with the last being Rhode Island where he scored 16.9 points, snatched 4 rebounds and handed out 2.4 assists per game. His first two years as a professional saw him play for the Bakersfield Jam where he saw his average jump from 11.5 points in his rookie season to 20.4 in his second campaign while also being selected as a G-League All-Star.
After an additional half season in the G-League with Greensboro, Munford ended the 2016-17 season with Barcelona. Up next was the Milwaukee Bucks and its G-League team the Wisconsin Herd before heading to China and then Turkey.
Last year, Munford played in Australia with South East Melbourne and scored 16.6 points, grabbed 4.1 rebounds along with 4.2 assists. As well, the guard aided the United States in their 2017 FIBA AmeriCup competition and also made 8 appearances for America in the World Cup qualifiers.
To find out more about Munford, The Sports Rabbi spoke to a pair of journalists and some of his former teammates:
Tom Hersz who covers the NBL in Australia: Xavier Munford had a strong season for the Phoenix, but I don’t think we necessarily saw his best. What I liked about Munford was his unselfishness. He was probably capable of doing more, but played within the team system and tried to get everyone involved.
Munford is an elite pick and roll player. His reads out of pick and roll sets may be close to the best I’ve ever seen in the NBL. He always made the right read, whether it was hitting the roll man, pulling up against drop coverage, or attacking if he got the switch he was looking for. Munford has a great mid-range game, is a strong finisher at the rim and a very solid 3-point shooter, although his percentage was a little down last season.
Defensively, he is long, quick and makes good reads in man coverage. Munford is a great asset for any team and I think he has a really nice all-around skill set for a lead guard. B’Hatzlacha Xavier!
South East Melbourne teammates:
Mitchell Creek: Amazing player – very smart point guard who can give you a little bit of everything. Has great length on both ends of the floor. Tel Aviv are going to love his exciting playing and ability to make big plays!
Dane Pineau: X is a great guy and I loved playing with him. He’s a real relaxed guy off the floor, gets along great with his team mates. On the floor he’s an incredible scorer. Really creative.
G-League teammates:
Shizz Alston at Delaware: Great person and great scorer, haven’t seen to many people that can stop him from getting where he wants on the floor
Isaiah Miles also at Delaware: Very good player. Very good teammate. Very skilled!!
Jequan Lewis at Wisconsin: He’s a great player, a great teammate, and very exciting to watch, fans will love him
Jarvis Summers also at Wisconsin: What’s up bro and X a great guy on and off the court. Someone who loves the game, not selfish and just a competitive player! He should be in the NBA hands down!
Prince Williams from Greensboro: Plays with great pace.. shifty.. and make shots makes the game simple. Good teammate.
Shonn Miller also from Greensboro: For X, he’s a great teammate and hard worker. He can score at all three levels, and most important, he’s a good guy and easy to get along with off the court. There’s no doubt in my mind that he and the team will have a successful season this year.
Brian Williams: He is a competitor on both ends and a big shot maker. He’ll be a great pickup for his team this season.
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