(photo credit: Princeton University)
Earlier this year when Princeton University men’s basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament “sweet 16” round for the first time in 50 years, I as an interested alum watched them play on national television and noticed an Asian player on the team. That player was Asian Canadian Xaivian Lee, who as a freshman, averaged 4.8 points a game in that 2022-2023 season. This year, he is averaging 18 points per game. What made the difference? This article from Sportsnet talks about his history and how his offseason helped him elevate his game.
Similar to another Ivy league guard of Asian descent, Xaivian Lee had trouble getting recruited to a division I college. After his freshman season, he concentrated on putting on muscle and improving his shot (now making 40% on threes). He also played for Team Canada in the Under-19 World Cup, where he learned a lot playing against international competition.
Xaivian’s ultimate goal is to make it to the NBA.
Being doubted has kind of been like a common thing my entire life. Every single level I’ve gone to, there’s always been doubts if I could play at that level and if (I) can get to the next level.
Even if he doesn’t make it, at least he will have a Princeton education to fall back on. We followed Jeremy Lin early in his career, and we hope that Xaivian Lee’s dreams come true in a similar way.
(h/t: dc)
