Xavier University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2015
- Class:
- 2003
Lionel Chalmers had one of the most productive careers of any Xavier guard in school history and he saved his best for last. Chalmers, the 2004 Atlantic 10 Championship MVP, led Xavier to a historic four-game sweep of the tournament, which included a blowout of then-No. 1 and undefeated Saint Joseph's and a win over host Dayton in the title game. The senior point guard led XU to wins over Louisville, Mississippi State and Texas on its way to the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance. Chalmers was named to the five-member All-NCAA Atlanta Regional Team after averaging a team-high 21.8 ppg. and dishing out 3.8 apg. for XU's four NCAA Tournament games.
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Xavier won two Atlantic 10 Conference Regular Season Championships and two Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Championships during his four-year career. XU made the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons, advancing to the 2004 Elite Eight and the NCAA Second Round twice. Chalmers stands 18th on Xavier's all-time scoring list with 1,556 career points and ninth in assists with 405, but will likely be best remembered for his efforts in March of 2004.
Chalmers was drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft and played three seasons for three teams in the NBA before going overseas. He played 11 seasons professionally, last playing in the Turkish Basketball First League.
