Princeton's Xaivian Lee Exhibiting Potential, Leading Tigers' Historic Start to the Season

The 6-foot-3 lead guard continues to show his worth, helping Princeton reach its best start to a season in over a century.

From Toronto, Canada, Xaivian Lee's path to Princeton was not always traveled with the clearest vision.

Having been a 5-foot-7, undersized and slight-framed guard even as a freshman in high school, he'd have to continually prove his doubters wrong.

He'd also have to prove himself of his desire for the game – as in his junior year of high school in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Toronto, making a massive roadblock in his journey to become a collegiate basketball player.

Deciding between remaining at home and enduring the stern COVID-19 regulations set forth, or pursuing his basketball endeavors – Lee chose the latter, working out in less-than-ideal conditions, and battling through just to maintain.

But after a move to the U.S., he'd compete for Perkiomen Prep near Philadelphia, and Princeton showed some interest in the young point guard.

Despite his lankier frame, Lee's craftiness as a playmaker and knack for creating separation as a ball handler ultimately helped see an offer to the Tigers program.

In his freshman season a year ago, he'd produce 4.8 points per game on 38-23-80 shooting splits, adding a boost to help the Tigers reach the Sweet 16 – making Princeton just the fourth Ivy League School to reach that far into the NCAA tournament. 

Last season also made it the first time for the school to crack the Sweet 16 since 1967, and their fifth tournament appearance since 2000.

Now, in the year following, Lee has been at the forefront of keeping this momentum with former Princeton forward Tosan Evbuomwan competing in the G League with the Motor City Cruise.

And the Canadian guard has continued to bring this Tigers team to another level and spotlight within college basketball, leading them to a 13-1 record and No. 1 in the Ivy League Conference thus far this season.

Before losing their 10th game, Princeton's 9-0 start was the best in program history – currently anchored by Lee's team-high 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 49-84-40 shooting splits as a sophomore – a massive improvement from his freshman campaign.

With this type of production, as well as the success his team continues to see, Lee's 6-foot-3, 171-pound slight frame could be pushed to the side from some NBA scouts in lieu of his scoring prowess and on-court intelligence.

Additionally, he showcased that directly in front of NBA scouts in a dominating 89-58 win over Harvard on Saturday night.

With just a single turnover, Lee displayed his ability to play make with eight assists combined with his efficient 33 points on 13-of-22 shooting throughout the contest.

Princeton star PG Xaivian Lee went off today against Harvard

33 points
8 rebounds
8 assists(1 TOV)
13-22 FG

Lee is really good… he’s crafty, can shoot, make his teammates better, and provides winning basketball consistently.

Today with NBA scouts watching he turned up. pic.twitter.com/yEInKnVyZJ

— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) January 6, 2024

His progression is contingent on his efficiency and consistency as both a scorer and facilitator, as well as bolstering his frame to improve as an overall defender.

And as conducted in the Productive Sophomore Query, Lee is of two sophomores in the NCAA who meet specific criteria that help identify prospects who have a strong chance to make the NBA. 

These criteria include being a sophomore and claiming at least 40% of their team's minutes, maintaining a Box Plus-Minus of at least 8.0, and being on track to meet the minimum athletic threshold of four total dunks throughout a single season.

This study shows the type of productivity Lee contributes as just a sophomore – and, though at a lower threshold, he is surrounded by several NBA prospects who are in their second college seasons from this data.

Lee's flashiness and craft with the ball have begun to give him plenty of hype throughout the social media sphere, but he's beginning to make real traction as an NBA prospect.

His sophomore year will certainly be one to track, especially if he can help replicate or surpass the Cinderalla-esque season Princeton had a year ago. 

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