By Tom Gilbert, K-State Athletics Communications
(Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics)
Kansas State head coach Bruce Weber announced the signing of high school standout Xavier Sneed (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) on the first day of the Fall National Signing Period on Wednesday.
A 6-foot-5, 180-pound small forward, Sneed is considered one of the Top 150 prep players in the country, according to most recruiting services, ranking No. 92 in the Rivals150 and No. 140 by 247Sports. He is considered one of the top small forward prospects nationally, ranking No. 21 by Scout and No. 31 by 247Sports. He is also rated a Top 5 recruit in the state of Missouri, including No. 2 by Scout and No. 3 by 247Sports.
“We have had our attention on Xavier since we arrived here (in 2012) and (associate head coach) Chris (Lowery) has done a great job with his recruitment,” said Weber. “He is an elite athlete who has developed into a standout on both the football field and basketball court and would’ve been a high-level prospect in either sport. As a basketball player, he is a slasher who excels at not only driving to the rim, but has also developed into a very good 3-point shooter. Since giving up football, he has spent a considerable amount of time honing his basketball skills. He has tremendous upside and the ability to be a high-level defender.”
Sneed has helped Hazelwood Central to 46 wins the past two seasons, including back-to-back Suburban XII North titles, while he has enjoyed tremendous success playing for the St. Louis Eagles U17 team, which lost in the championship game of the 24-team Peach Jam Tournament this summer. The Peach Jam is the season-ending tournament for Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League. The Eagles, who count current NBA players Bradley Beal, Tyler Hansbrough and David Lee as alums, could produce as many as four Division I signees in 2016.
“Xavier is not only a great young man and student from a great family,” said Weber. “He has had the opportunity to play for one of the best high school programs in the state of Missouri – Hazelwood Central – as well as one of the top AAU programs in the St. Louis Eagles. He is a tremendous addition to our basketball team.”
Sneed is the first St. Louis area signee since current junior D.J. Johnson (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North) in 2012.
