Xavier has had many legends come through it’s program, too many to even count. From Trevon Bluiett’s knockdown shooting to Zach Freemantle’s dominance down low, Xavier has had everything. That is why we asked: what’s the best starting five that Xavier could produce? I was born in 2009, so in order to have a valid opinion, I will allow players from 2015 to 2026. Let’s dive in!
Starting Five
Something to note: this assumes that each player is in their best form from their time at Xavier.
Quincy Olivari (PG): 19.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 40.9 3P%
Despite only playing one season at Xavier, Quincy was dominant in his time here. He led the Big East in made 3-pointers, averaged nearly 20 PPG, and consistently put the team on his back. It was a weak year for Xavier, and Quincy lacked the help he needed. Teams were all over him, as X had no other offensive threats on his level. Olivari also put up 30+ points four times in one season, including an iconic 43-point performance against DePaul. On this team, he will be one of the two main offensive dynamos.
Trevon Bluiett (SG): 19.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG
Trevon Bluiett fed Xavier fans with constant highlight reels for four straight years, as he was arguably the best player Xavier has had in the past ten years. He was a 2nd-Team All-American and 1st-Team All-Big East three times. He was also 2nd on the Xavier all-time scoring list (2,261 pts). Trevon helped guide X back to the Elite Eight as an 11 seed, marking the most unforgettable run in Xavier history. Bluiett also led Xavier to the program’s one and only #1 seed in March Madness, winning the Big East Regular Season on the way. If you want to define legacy, talk about Trevon Bluiett at Xavier. Trevon pairs with Quincy as my other offensive dynamo.
Colby Jones (SF): 15.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.3 SPG
Colby Jones is a key “do-it-all” guy for Xavier. He could scrap down low for tough buckets, rebound the ball, dish it out, and defend with intensity. He was an extremely hard worker, always giving 110%. Colby is the glue guy of my team, bridging the gap between interior dominance and exterior sharpshooting. Jones also possesses that “clutch gene,” as shown by his game-winning three against Providence during his freshman year. He also propelled Xavier to the Sweet 16 in 2023, putting up a double-double against Pittsburgh in the R32. He also won NIT Tournament MVP in 2022, helping X win the tourney.
Tyrique Jones (PF): 14.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.0 SPG
Tyrique Jones was dominant down-low, delivering emphatic finishes and double-doubles on the regular. In his senior year, he was ranked ninth nationally in rebounds per game. He was extremely efficient down low, shooting over 50% from the field. Tyrique secured 21 double-doubles as a senior, ranking third in single-season program history behind only Tyrone Hill and David West. He was also 2nd-Team All-Big East in 2020, while leading the conference in rebounding/double-doubles. He didn’t always put up the huge games, but he was consistently putting up solid numbers.
Zach Freemantle (C): 16.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.4 APG
The Xavier Loyalist himself made it onto my five. Zach could mix it up down low with the big guys of his era (Ryan Kalkbrenner, Adama Sanogo, etc.) while also knocking down threes. He brought the energy that Xavier so desperately needed, often sparking major runs. He was All-Big East 2nd Team in 2021, a top-10 XU all-time rebounder and 1,000+ career scorer. Zach will combo well with Tyrique in the paint, bringing dominance down low and elegance with his sweet baby-hook shot.
Bench/Honorable Mentions
Before we wrap this up, a few honorable mentions.
J.P. Macura (G): 12.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.4 SPG
Big East Sixth Man of the Year in 2016, 1,000+ career points, key role in 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Souley Boum (G): 17.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.3 SPG
1st-Team All-Big East in 2023, lead guard for 2-seed Sweet 16 team.
Edmond Sumner (G): 15.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG
Big East All-Freshman selection, 2017 NBA Draft pick with multi-year NBA career.
Naji Marshall (F): 16.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.3 SPG
1st-Team All-Big East (2020), multi-year NBA wing.
Paul Scruggs (G, 2017–2022): 14.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.5 SPG
2x All-Big East selection, 1,000-point club, 5th in career assists (510), 2022 NIT Champion.
Jack Nunge (F): 14.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG
2x All-Big East Honorable Mention, one of the leaders of 2022 NIT Title and 2023 Sweet Sixteen team.
Tre Carroll (F): 17.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.3 BPG
1st-Team All-Big East in 2026, carried X to Crosstown Shootout win.
Wrap-Up
There you have it, my starting five for Xavier. Where did I go wrong? What did I get right? I hope to see more talent come out of Xavier for years to come, meaning my five will need updating. I hope you enjoyed this, thanks for reading!
Reach out to me with any questions @SSM_CL on X/Twitter!
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