Xavier James Silas (born January 22, 1988)[1] is an American former professional basketball player and current head coach for the Mets de Guaynabo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), the highest professional basketball league in Puerto Rico. He played college basketball for the University of Colorado at Boulder and Northern Illinois University.

Xavier Silas
Silas for Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2015
Mets de Guaynabo
PositionHead coach
LeagueBSN
Personal information
Born (1988-01-22) January 22, 1988 (age 36)
San Antonio, Texas
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High schoolStephen F. Austin (Austin, Texas)
Brewster Academy
(Wolfeboro, New Hampshire)
College
NBA draft2011: undrafted
Playing career2011–2019
PositionShooting guard / point guard
Number25, 9, 13
Coaching career2019–present
Career history
As player:
2011BCM Gravelines
2011–2012Maine Red Claws
2012Philadelphia 76ers
2012–2013Maine Red Claws
2013–2014Maccabi Ashdod
2014Quimsa
2015Nea Kifissia
2015Telekom Baskets Bonn
2015San Lorenzo de Almagro
2016–2018Bakersfield Jam / Northern Arizona Suns
2018Boston Celtics
2018–2019Iowa Wolves
As coach:
2019–2021Delaware Blue Coats (assistant)
2021–2022Motor City Cruise (assistant)
2022–presentMets de Guaynabo (head coach)
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-MAC (2011)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference

High school and college career

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Silas grew up in Austin, Texas, where he attended Stephen F. Austin High School before moving to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, to attend Brewster Academy for a postgraduate year. In 2005–06, he averaged 12.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game for Brewster Academy.[2]

After playing two seasons for Colorado, Silas transferred to Northern Illinois in 2008 and subsequently sat out the 2008–09 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. As a senior for Northern Illinois in 2010–11, Silas was named to the All-Mid-American Conference first team after he averaged 22.3 points (1st in the MAC) and 4.6 rebounds per game.[2]

Professional career

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2011–12 season

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Silas went undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft. On September 16, 2011, he signed a one-year deal with BCM Gravelines of the LNB Pro A.[3] In early December 2011, he left France and returned to the United States.[4]

On December 9, 2011, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.[5] However, he was later waived by the 76ers on December 20, 2011. A week later, he was acquired by the Maine Red Claws.[6] On April 24, 2012, he signed with the 76ers for the rest of the season.[7]

2012–13 season

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In July 2012, Silas joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2012 NBA Summer League. In the 76ers' final summer league game against the Detroit Pistons, Silas left the game after he was inadvertently elbowed in the head by teammate Solomon Jones. Silas went down with a concussion, and the Sixers initially feared a skull fracture. He subsequently required surgery on several sinus fractures.[8][9]

On September 27, 2012, he re-signed with the 76ers.[10] However, he was later waived on October 10, 2012.[11] On November 1, 2012, he was reacquired by the Maine Red Claws.[12] On February 18, 2013, he was deactivated by the Red Claws and stayed that way for the rest of the season.

2013–14 season

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In July 2013, Silas joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2013 NBA Summer League. On September 27, 2013, he signed with the Washington Wizards.[13] However, he was later waived by the Wizards on October 24, 2013.[14] On November 4, 2013, the Maine Red Claws traded Silas' rights to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[15]

On November 17, 2013, he signed with Maccabi Ashdod of Israel for the rest of the 2013–14 season.[16] On January 16, 2014, he left Maccabi after just nine games.[17] On February 11, 2014, he signed with Quimsa of Argentina for the rest of the season.[18]

2014–15 season

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On September 29, 2014, Silas signed with the Washington Wizards.[19] However, he was later waived by the Wizards on October 25, 2014.[20] On January 7, 2015, he signed with Nea Kifissia of Greece for the rest of the season.[21]

2015–16 season

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On August 25, 2015, Silas signed with Telekom Baskets Bonn of Germany for the 2015–16 season.[22] On November 12, he parted ways with Telekom Bonn after appearing in five league games and four Eurocup games.[23]

On November 19, Silas signed with San Lorenzo de Almagro of the Argentine Liga Nacional de Básquet.[24] On December 23, he parted ways with San Lorenzo after averaging 12.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in seven games.[25]

On January 14, 2016, Silas was acquired by the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League.[26] That night, he made his debut for the Jam in a 105–100 loss to the Austin Spurs, recording six points in 19 minutes off the bench.[27]

2016–17 season

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After being inactive for seven games, Silas made his debut with the Northern Arizona Suns (the new name for the Bakersfield Jam) on December 3, 2016, against the Reno Bighorns.

On April 6, 2017, Silas signed with the Hunan Yongsheng of China for the 2017 NBL season.[28] However, he did not join the Chinese club.

2017–18 season

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After concluding his season with the BIG3 (a 3-on-3 basketball league created by Ice Cube), Silas returned to the Northern Arizona Suns once again on October 24, 2017. On March 27, 2018, after the conclusion of the first NBA G League season, the Boston Celtics announced that they had signed Silas to a 10-day contract after the team granted hardship exception from the league.[29] The Celtics did not resign him after the contract expired.[30]

2018–19 season

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Silas signed with the Denver Nuggets to a training camp contract but was waived on October 13, 2018.[31] Silas was added to the Iowa Wolves opening night roster.[32]

BIG3

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On April 30, 2017, Silas was drafted as the 4th overall pick in the inaugural draft for the BIG3 basketball league by Tri State. Silas played three games with Tri State before being traded to the Ball Hogs on July 13, 2017, in exchange for Dominic McGuire.

Coaching career

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For the 2019–20 season, Silas joined the coaching staff for the NBA G League's Delaware Blue Coats as an assistant.[33]

Before the 2021–22 season, Silas became an assistant coach for the Motor City Cruise.[34]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Philadelphia 2 0 19.4 .267 .167 .667 2.0 1.5 .0 .0 5.5
2017–18 Boston 2 0 3.7 .000 .000 1.0 .0 .5 .0 .0
Career 4 0 11.5 .222 .125 .667 1.5 .8 .3 .0 2.8

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012 Philadelphia 2 0 2.0 1.000 .000 .000 1.0 .0 .0 .0 1.0

Personal life

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Silas is the son of James and Vanessa Silas, and has six brothers and one sister. His father was a two-time All-American at Stephen F. Austin and played 328 games in four seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA), where he averaged 18.2 points, 4.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. He also played six seasons in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs after the ABA–NBA merger and one for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 14.2 points per game.[2][35]

References

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  1. ^ "Xavier Silas Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Xavier Silas Bio". niuhuskies.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  3. ^ "Gravelines waives Eldridge and signs rookie Xavier Silas". Sportando.com. September 16, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  4. ^ "Xavier Silas va quitter Gravelines". basketactu.com (in French). December 2, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  5. ^ "PHILADELPHIA 76ERS ANNOUNCE 2011 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER - 12/9/2011". NBA.com. December 9, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  6. ^ "2011-12 Transactions". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  7. ^ Raroque, Ryan (April 24, 2012). "Sixers Sign Xavier Silas". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Freeman, Eric (July 13, 2012). "Philadelphia 76ers guard Xavier Silas elbowed in the head at Orlando Summer League (VIDEO)". Yahoo.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "Xavier Silas needs surgery on face". ESPN.com. July 13, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Sixers Announce 2012 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. September 27, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  11. ^ Brigidi, Matt (October 10, 2012). "Philadelphia 76ers waive Mikki Moore, Xavier Silas". SBNation.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  12. ^ "SILAS, WRIGHT & OGUCHI SET TO RETURN TO RED CLAWS". NBA.com. November 1, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  13. ^ "Wizards sign Josh Childress, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Xavier Silas, D'Or Fischer to training camp". InsideHoops.com. September 27, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  14. ^ "Wizards waive Josh Childress, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Xavier Silas". InsideHoops.com. October 24, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  15. ^ "Fort Wayne Conducts Trade with Maine". NBA.com. November 4, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  16. ^ "Maccabi Ashdod signs Xavier Silas". Sportando.com. November 17, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  17. ^ "Xavier Silas left Maccabi Ashdod without notifying the team". Sportando.com. January 16, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  18. ^ "Xavier Silas signs in Argentina". Sportando.com. February 11, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  19. ^ "Wizards Sign Six for Training Camp". NBA.com. September 29, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  20. ^ "WIZARDS WAIVE JAMES, LUCAS, SILAS". MonumentalNetwork.com. October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  21. ^ "Xavier Silas inks with Nea Kifissia". Sportando.com. January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  22. ^ "Xavier Silas inks with Telekom Baskets Bonn". Sportando.com. August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  23. ^ "Einvernehmliche Trennung von Xavier Silas". telekom-baskets-bonn.de (in German). November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  24. ^ "San Lorenzo signs Xavier Silas to replace Courtney Fells". Sportando.com. November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  25. ^ "San Lorenzo de Almagro, Xavier Silas part ways". Sportando.com. December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  26. ^ "Bakersfield Jam Acquire Xavier Silas". OurSportsCentral.com. January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  27. ^ "Jam Fall to Spurs". NBA.com. January 14, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  28. ^ "Xavier Silas signs with Hunan Yongsheng". Sportando.com. April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.[dead link]
  29. ^ George, Kyle (March 28, 2018). "Celtics Sign Xavier Silas To 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  30. ^ Westerholm, Tom (April 5, 2018). "Boston Celtics news: Celtics sign Jonathan Gibson for remainder of season, replacing Xavier Silas". MassLive.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  31. ^ "We have waived Xavier Silas and Donald Sloan". twitter.com. October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  32. ^ Nutting, Seth (November 2, 2018). "Wolves Finalize 2018-19 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  33. ^ Carlin, Ky (September 18, 2019). "Former Sixers guard Xavier Silas to join Blue Coats coaching staff". USA Today. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  34. ^ "Motor City Cruise Completes Basketball Operations Staff". Our Sports Central. September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  35. ^ Powers, Scott (June 28, 2011). "Ex-Husky Silas waiting on NBA". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
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