Scottsdale Junior College has been off to an excellent start this season behind the leadership of hard-working Head Coach Mark Bunker, who has his program at the highest level it has been since he took over the program in 2015. Scottsdale (9-1, 4-1) is currently in first place in the ACCAC behind the play of a talented group of sophomore prospects. A major reason for the trmendous success of the Artichoke's program this season has been the overall play of 6-foot-5 sophomore guard Xavier Fuller, who has absolutely been on fire this junior college season.
The younger brother of former gifted Arizona standout Aaron Fuller, who starred at the University of Iowa and then was a transfer to USC where he started for the Trojans for (3) seasons, Xavier Fuller is another gifted prospect from the Fuller family.
While it was known before the season that Scottsdale would be a tough team to beat, as they would have the best backcourt in the season, led by the play of sophomore guards Donald Carter and Boogie Anderson, the difference this junior college season for Scottsdale has been the terrific overall play of 6-foot-5, 185-pound sophomore wing Xavier Fuller. Fuller has been on a tear this junior college season - leading the conference in scoring and rebounding, and also ranking among the league leaders in 3-point field goal percentage.
Fuller is currently tied as the league-leader in scoring - averaging 25 points per/game, and also currently leads the conference in rebounding with 11.2 rebounds per/contest. Fuller has done this while also shooting an impressive 47.7% from three-point distance.
Fuller's tremendous performance this junior college season has helped lead his team to a first place position in the ACCAC standings this season, as Scottsdale's lone conference loss this season was at the hands of Cochise College on the road, 99-96. Scottsdale has big wins over College of Southern Idaho (88-81), Eastern Arizona (83-81), New Mexico Military Institute (85-83) and Pima Junior College (72-66) this season.
Fuller is a very skilled wing prospect that is able to score inside and out with a nice approach to the game, as he is able to post up smaller players in the post and finish around the basket, while also being able to step outside and make shots from the perimeter with excellent range on his shot. He has a knack for scoring the basketball but does it with proficiency, not volume shooting - a nice attribute for a scorer. Fuller is able to play as a 2 or 3, as a result of his high basketball IQ and skill level, and can also play much bigger as a stretch 4-man as needed for Head Coach Mark Bunker, which creates mis-match problems for opposing teams. He is a good ball handler and passer, making him a very versatile prospect offensively.
Defensively, he is able to guard several positions on the floor and has good lateral quickness and is able to play passing lanes. Fuller is a very good finisher and scorer in transition, and likes to push the basketball up the floorand makes passes to the open man. He is an excellent rebounder for his size, and is able to rebound outside of his area on the floor.
Currently, Fuller does not possess a division-I offer to his credit, but many schools are now in the hunt and he should begin to start receiving numerous division-I offers as more college programs catch a glimpse of his play. As such a top performer in the junior college ranks, I look for Fuller to gain serious recruiting momentum this junior college season, and look for him to sign with a very good division-I college program in the spring, but he will need to find the right fit.
I will continue to follow the continue performance and progress of Fuller this junior college season, and bring you any recruiting updates on him as they continue to develop.
