BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University strengthened its roster Friday with the addition of Xavier Ball (6-7, 230, F) announced first-year head coach Alvin Brooks Friday afternoon. Ball is a transfer from John A. Logan College, and will have three years of eligibility remaining with the Cardinals.
 
"We want play an open, fast-paced style, and Xavier is a guy who can do that," said Brooks. "He is a multiple-position skill player who shoots 42 percent from three-point range, but he can also put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others. He can also rebound the ball. We are looking for frontline players with that type of skill set."
 
Ball comes to LU after guiding Logan to a successful run through the postseason where he averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on his way to being named Region 24 Tournament MVP. Ball capped off the tournament by scoring 28 points in the championship game.
 
A Winnfield, La. native, Ball was been described as a player who could play any position on the court while at Logan. He has the size to play in the paint, but also has the ability step out and knock down the three-pointer. 
 
A two-year letterwinner at Logan College, Ball converted 42 percent of his three-point attempts during his sophomore season. He averaged 13 points per game while shooting better than 48 percent from the field. He is also an asset at the free throw line converting nearly 80 percent of his attempts in two seasons with the Vols.
 
Ball also averaged better than four rebounds and two assists per game as a sophomore while guiding Logan to an 18-5 (.783) record and the NJCAA Region 24 Central District Championship. 
 
Utilized as a reserve during his first JUCO season, Ball played in 37 games during his two years and finished his career averaging 10.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He also garnered all-conference honors as a sophomore.
 
Originally from Winnfield, La., Ball graduated from Hazelwood Central (St. Louis, Mo.) High School, where he grabbed the attention of several four-year schools before electing to go the junior college route. 
 
"I've known Xavier since he was 14 or 15 years old, so there is some history there," said Brooks. "He's originally a Winnfield, La., native so he's not back home but back within the region he is familiar with. He is a great young man. His character, size and skill set really attracted us to him."
 
Ball averaged better than 11 points and six rebounds per game, while shooting 56 percent from the field as a senior in high school. He wrapped up his prep career by earning first team all-conference honors while guiding Hazelwood High to a 27-3 (.900) overall record.