Semaj Christon - Freshman All-American

[X Factor]

Congrats to Semaj on being named to the Freshman All-America Team

Can't wait to watch him again next year!

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040113aab.html

[A10fan]

Mack must have an eye for talent. 3 of those guys, Christon/SmithRivera/and Bhullar, were committed to X and Jakarr Sampson was reportedly very close.

[MADXSTER]

Xavier was also in the mix for Gary Harris

[UCGRAD4X]

Very proud of SemaJ. More to come.

Anyone else a little surprised to see Sim on the list? I had heard mixed reviews about his performance this year.

It is widely accepted that big guys (I think Sim qualifies in this category) have a different learning/performing curve.

[XUFan09]

Very proud of SemaJ. More to come.

Anyone else a little surprised to see Sim on the list? I had heard mixed reviews about his performance this year.

It is widely accepted that big guys (I think Sim qualifies in this category) have a different learning/performing curve.

Sim very efficiently reached a mark of 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds a game. He shot 62% from the field, rebounded the ball very well on both sides, didn't turn it over on offense, drew fouls at a high rate, and blocked shots at the 28th best rate in the nation. His FT rate was ridiculously high, attempting three free throws for every four field goals attempted, so it's too bad that his one glaring stat was shooting 46.5% from the line. Ugh.

[UnCaged]

Congrats to Semaj, well deserved and a harbinger for bigger/better things to come. Funny that this is the first X Freshman AA...just shows how hard it is to consistently put up numbers as a first year player and one at Xavier (where we tend to have guys stay around a bit and keep a stranglehold on starting spots and their minutes).

[blueblob06]

That is quite a large Freshman All American "team". I assumed it was 5 guys before I read the article. When they name 21 guys, it isn't quite as exclusive as a club (still a great honor of course). Curious who makes the cut if they only could pick 5.

Can't wait to see Semaj as a sophomore!

[nuts4xu]

Anyone recall why Sim chose to decommit from Xavier? What made him decide on New Mexico State?

[blueblob06]

Anyone recall why Sim chose to decommit from Xavier? What made him decide on New Mexico State?
I thought there were issues with his Canadien citizenship and that New Mex St had more international athletes and could somehow handle those situations better than X. It was never 100% clear from everything I read...

[casualfan]

I believe Sim's situation was similar to Reynolds and Davis in that he was declared ineliggible for his freshman year and thus would have had to pay his own way for a year at Xavier.

From what I recall when the rubber met the road New Mexico State's tuition was quite a bit lower so he chose that route.

I could be wrong, but that's how I remember it going down.

[PMI]

Anyone recall why Sim chose to decommit from Xavier? What made him decide on New Mexico State?

Like Davis and Reynolds this year, Sim was a complete non-qulafier as a freshman and would have had to pay his own way for a year. He and his family chose NMSU since it was far less expensive than X. That's the story I remember at least.

Edit: Casual Fan beat me to it.

[danaandvictory]

NMSU also had some history with Canadian players and an assistant that knew the system and how to get guys eligible who played in Canada and the US.

I watched Sim in the WAC tournament and the NCAAs against SLU and project doesn't even begin. I think he's probably at the right level for his development at this point and I don't know if he would have ever been useful for XU.

[PMI]

Yes, he takes the term "risk/reward project" to an unprecedented level, but I still would have taken a chance on him. Now I'd rather have Stainbrook for sure, and I can't remember exactly how it panned out, but I do know that Erik Stenger was on scholarship and Chris Cantino was given a roster spot. I definitely would've taken my chances on Sim's ceiling with those things in mind, fully understanding the several risks you take when you actually put him in the lineup.

[Muskie]

Yes, he takes the term "risk/reward project" to an unprecedented level, but I still would have taken a chance on him. Now I'd rather have Stainbrook for sure, and I can't remember exactly how it panned out, but I do know that Erik Stenger was on scholarship and Chris Cantino was given a roster spot. I definitely would've taken my chances on Sim's ceiling with those things in mind, fully understanding the several risks you take when you actually put him in the lineup.

I'm not saying Stainbrook's going to be bad or anything. But the Hype Machine is in full force on here for him. We've not seen him play one minute of basketball (and I doubt his WMU footage is of any use at this point).

[paulxu]

It sure would be nice if these kids would spend the time in high school getting the necessary help/grades to do away with all these qualification problems.
They're probably too busy tweeting and listening to some AAU sneaker guy.

[bobbiemcgee]

I'm not saying Stainbrook's going to be bad or anything. But the Hype Machine is in full force on here for him. We've not seen him play one minute of basketball (and I doubt his WMU footage is of any use at this point).

Well, we know he scored 18 @ Duke, 14 against Temple and 20 against Co. and jacked up the Jack Rabbits for 32. Not much of a track record, but it could be some indication he can play a little.

[PMI]

I'm not saying Stainbrook's going to be bad or anything. But the Hype Machine is in full force on here for him. We've not seen him play one minute of basketball (and I doubt his WMU footage is of any use at this point).

Fair enough, but I am willing to all but guarantee that Stainbrook is going to be one of our best players next year. Usually hype with transfers is based on talent in the open gyms and numbers from previous years at other schools. The things I love hearing about Stainbrook is his basketball IQ (which I've heard is the best on the team), his work ethic to lose all that weight, and his skill for a guy that size. I see him being a very productive player for us, and even in the absolute worst case, he will give us more next year than Sim would've at this stage.

[wkrq59]

From what I saw of Sim in the NCAA I'd say he is where he belongs. The man is simply too big and slow even after a full season of colleege ball to fit into any system requiring the ability to RUN the court. On five occasions I watched him arrive at the offensive end in time to see the ball go through the nets and he just turned around and startyed to jog to the defensive spot. Three opponents were past him when he reached the top of the defensive key. But on one occasion he rejected a shot that the other team's player waited a couple of seconds too long to take. The guy may make some money overseas but I don't think we'll ever see him in the league. I'm not usually that negative but I think it's his brother who will be the star.:slapfight:

[ballyhoohoo]

I think this staff wants to run and Sim may have been counter productive.

[MADXSTER]

I think this staff wants to run and Sim may have been counter productive.

True but you always want different pieces in your chess set to counter your opponent.

[smileyy]

I think this staff wants to run and Sim may have been counter productive.

Chris Mack has shown the ability to adjust playstyle to the talent on hand.

There's no doubt that Mack and staff wanted Sim to be a Musketeer. It just didn't work out that way, because of his eligibility.

[El Shaqtus]

Congrats to Mr. Christon. Kid's a baller.