Claude Calls it for Xavier
The best available player in New England's class of 2022, Desmond Claude, came off the board on Thursday with a commitment to Xavier.
The Musketeers had prioritized Claude all season long, making numberous trips Putnam Science Academy to see him this fall and then hosting him for an official visit in October.
"I think it was the best basketball situation for me," Claude told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "For one, they win and they got good other freshmen coming in. They have experienced bigs. I feel really comfortable and trust that they will allow me to keep developing as a point guard."
The Expressions Elite product is a Connecticut native who has taken both his game and recruitment to new levels in recent years.
He first appeared on the radar as a sophomore at St. Thomas More and really began transitioning into more of a big guard last year during the pandemic. He continued to ascend this summer. He was one of the biggest winners of the NEPSAC Showcase in June, walking away with numerous high-major offers, before his final summer with Expressions.
"Desmond is a wonderful young man. I've had a lot of great guards over the years, but Desmond separates himself for potential at the next level being a six-foot-five guard," said PSA head coach Tom Espinosa. "He is a very talented young man who has a bright future in the Big East."
Claude is a big guard who possesses both positional size along with a combination of power, length, and athleticism. He continues to progress in terms of transitioning into a lead guard and has a chance to fill a Paul Scruggs' type role for Xavier.
Desmond Claude