Xavier Pinson

Xavier Pinson
Pinson with Missouri in 2020
Free agent
PositionPoint guard
Personal information
Born (2000-06-23) June 23, 2000 (age 24)
Chicago, Illinois
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight174 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2023: undrafted
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023Montreal Alliance
2023Leicester Riders
2024Rip City Remix
2024Raptors 905
2024Salt Lake City Stars

Xavier Pinson (born June 23, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers, LSU Tigers and New Mexico State Aggies.

High school career

Pinson attended St. Patrick High School in Chicago, Illinois. He stood 5'1" as a freshman and made the varsity team in his following year.[1] He transferred to Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois for his senior season, joining Talen Horton-Tucker.[2] Pinson averaged 11.9 points and 3.8 assists per game, helping his team win Class 4A sectional and Chicago Public League titles.[3] He originally committed to playing college basketball for Kent State before reopening his recruitment.[4] A three-star recruit, Pinson committed to Missouri over offers from Georgetown and Wisconsin.[5]

College career

As a freshman at Missouri, Pinson averaged 6.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.[6] On February 18, 2020, he scored a sophomore season-high 32 points in a 71–68 win over Ole Miss.[7] Pinson became one of his team's best offensive players during the month.[8] As a sophomore, he averaged 11.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing his name and returning to college.[9] On January 23, 2021, Pinson scored 27 points in a 73–64 victory over sixth-ranked Tennessee.[10] One week later, he scored 36 points in a 102–98 overtime win over TCU.[11] As a junior, Pinson averaged 13.6 points and 2.9 assists per game. For his senior season, he transferred to LSU.[12]

Professional career

Montreal Alliance (2023)

After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Pinson signed with the Montreal Alliance of the Canadian Elite Basketball League on July 15, 2023.[13]

Leicester Riders (2023)

On August 7, 2023, Pinson signed with Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League.[14]

Rip City Remix (2024)

On February 10, 2024, Pinson joined the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League.[15] However, he was waived nine days later.[16]

Raptors 905 (2024)

On February 22, 2024, Pinson joined Raptors 905,[17] but was waived on March 14.[17]

Salt Lake City Stars (2024)

On March 22, 2024, Pinson joined the Salt Lake City Stars.[18]

On October 25, 2024, Pinson was traded to the Wisconsin Herd,[19] but was waived on November 7.[20] Four days later, he signed with the Osceola Magic,[21] but was waived on November 26 before playing for the Magic.[21]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Missouri 31 12 18.4 .412 .400 .779 2.6 2.3 .6 .0 6.6
2019–20 Missouri 31 11 24.0 .391 .279 .817 2.8 2.8 .8 .0 11.1
2020–21 Missouri 26 26 25.6 .386 .336 .837 2.7 2.9 1.1 .0 13.6
Career 88 49 22.5 .394 .330 .815 2.7 2.6 .8 .0 10.3

References

  1. ^ Reckamp, Adam (March 10, 2020). "Pinson's potential: How a skinny high school guard became Missouri's newest star". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  2. ^ Henricksen, Joe (July 18, 2017). "Xavier Pinson transferring to Simeon". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. ^ "Xavier Pinson". University of Missouri Athletics. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  4. ^ Matter, Dave (December 26, 2019). "Driven to grow beyond his Chicago roots, Pinson delivers for Mizzou". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  5. ^ Matter, Dave (February 6, 2018). "Chicago point guard Xavier Pinson picks Mizzou over Badgers, Hoyas". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Forde, Mitchell (November 25, 2019). "Pinson's strong start shows maturation". Rivals. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  7. ^ Hoffmeister, Hannah (February 18, 2020). "Pinson, Smith refuse to cool off as Mizzou edges Ole Miss". KSDK. Associated Press. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  8. ^ Napier, Briar (February 19, 2020). "The X-factor: Play of Missouri's Pinson forged by a fearless mindset and fast tempo". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  9. ^ "Missouri's Xavier Pinson, Mitchell Smith, Jeremiah Tilmon all withdraw from NBA draft". ESPN. July 24, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  10. ^ Lorenzi, Joel (January 23, 2021). "Pinson erupts as Missouri secures redemption victory at Tennessee". Daily Local News. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  11. ^ Ladd, Aaron (January 30, 2021). "Tigers top TCU in OT; Tilmon, Pinson set career-highs". KSHB-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  12. ^ Matter, Dave (April 12, 2021). "Former Mizzou guard Xavier Pinson stays in SEC, headed to LSU". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  13. ^ "Montréal Alliance sign American point guard Xavier Pinson at trade deadline". AllianceMontreal.ca. July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  14. ^ "Riders Sign Pinson". Riders.basketball. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  15. ^ Rip City Remix [@ripcityremix] (February 10, 2024). "The Rip City Remix have signed Xavier Pinson 💿" (Tweet). Retrieved February 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "2023-2024 Rip City Remix Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "2023-2024 Raptors 905 Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  18. ^ "Stars Acquire Xavier Pinson". OurSportsCentral.com. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "WISCONSIN HERD ACQUIRES RETURNING PLAYER RIGHTS TO XAVIER PINSON". NBA.com. October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  20. ^ "2024-2025 Wisconsin Herd Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "2024-2025 Osceola Magic Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.