Get to Know an Incoming Recruit: Xavier’s Paul Scruggs

Xavier is one of the teams to beat in the Big East this season and one of the big reasons why is their stellar recruiting class. The Musketeers have one of the best classes in the country and it is led by the highly-touted guard Paul Scruggs.

According to ESPN, Scruggs also had offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan State, and Purdue to name a few before signing with Xavier. This was a huge get for the Musketeers, who know that many important pieces will be leaving after this upcoming season ends.

Scruggs is a 6-foot-3, and 212 pound guard from Indianapolis who made his name at Southport and Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.). He was also a member of the Indy Hoosiers AAU team.

During the spring and summer of 2016 in AAU, Scruggs averaged 14.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists while being a matchup nightmare for defenses.

When Scruggs committed to Xavier in October of 2016, he was the 28th overall recruit in ESPN’s top 100 for 2017. He told ESPN that the style of play at Xavier fit his style of play the best and that played a large role in his decision to play for the Musketeers.

One part of Scruggs’ game that really fits is his ability to attack the basket. His aggressive play in the lane and ability to finish at the rim are needed greatly after Edmond Sumner left for the NBA Draft.

Scruggs has the ability to play both point guard and shooting guard for the “X men” and make things happen for his teammates. Another strength is his defense which looks to be developing nicely and could fit in well with Xavier’s patented one-three-one zone.

Many that saw Scruggs play believe he has two things that need to be improved. The first is decision making and the other is perimeter shooting.

With the Indy Hoosiers, Scruggs averaged just 30 percent from deep. However, he did make 53 percent of his shots from the field which is very impressive.

Scruggs can fill up the stat sheet and with his toughness and physical play could add a lot to the Musketeers on both ends of the floor.

By selecting Xavier, Scruggs also teams up with Quentin Gooden in the backcourt. Those two could be a very scary duo for the Musketeers this season.

The other part to keep in mind is that head coach Chris Mack will have a chance to really develop Scruggs into a solid player that should have a great chance to play in the NBA one day.

Scruggs is part of one of the best recruiting classes in the history of Xavier basketball that also includes Naji Marshall who is a top 100 recruit according to ESPN and also Jared Ridder, Elias Harden (both four star wing players) and Kentrevious Jones who is a three star center.

Add them on to the other returning players including Gooden, Trevon Bluiett, J.P. Macura, Tyrique Jones, Kaiser Gates and Sean O’Mara who led the Musketeers to the Elite Eight last season and it looks like this season could be very special for the “X men.”

Talk about all for one and one for all.

The Musketeers look scary with Scruggs and the rest of this class joining the fray for 2017. With this team in place, Xavier is surely one of the frontrunners in the Big East and will likely be strutting their dance moves in March once again.