Xavier University Athletics
Travis Steele Adds A Pair Of Prep Standouts To The Xavier Basketball Family
11.20.20 | Men's Basketball
Xavier receives signed letters from two highly-ranked recruits.
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University head coach Travis Steele announced today that he has received signed National Letters of Intent from 6-7 forward Elijah Tucker from Canton, Ga., and 6-10 forward Cesare Edwards from Hartsville, S.C.
"We are excited to add Elijah Tucker and Cesare Edwards to our Xavier Basketball Family," said Steele. "Both were very well-coached in high school."
Tucker, a four-year starter for Cherokee High School, earned All-State, First Team All-Region and First Team All-County honors as a junior after posting team highs of 18.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Tucker led his team to a 23-5 record and a Region Championship under head coach Roger Kvam. Tucker earned a three-star and No. 144 ranking from 247Sports.
"Elijah also played for the Georgia Stars, which is on the Nike EYBL circuit," said Steele. " Elijah is going to bring incredible versatility to our program. He can defend any position, and he has a very high basketball IQ. He is a young man that is trending in the right direction very quickly."
"His growth between his sophomore and junior years was tremendous," said Kvam. "He has gotten better every day he's been here. His stats don't tell the whole story because he also guards the other team's best player. He's super-athletic, very active on both ends of the court and he is just scratching the surface of his potential. He's also a winner, who helped us win the region title for the first time in over 60 years of the program."
Tucker's parents both enjoyed standout athletic careers at the University of Tennessee. LaShonda Stephens Tucker played for two national championship women's basketball teams, including a 39-0 squad in 1998. Josh Tucker played in the NFL after finishing his UT career.
Edwards, a standout at Hartsville High School, earned a four-star and No. 87 composite ranking from 247Sports. He averaged 15.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.3 assists as a junior under head coach Yusef English.
"Cesare competed with the Upwards Stars on the Adidas Circuit," said Steele. "Cesare has a unique skill set for his size because he can shoot, pass, dribble, and post up. He is extremely versatile. He is also a terrific rebounder."
"Cesare is the most complete player that I've ever coached," said English. "Cesare has a legitimate shot at finishing his career with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He has such a pure shooting motion. If there is a shot in the book he can make it, whether his back is to the basket, mid-range or 3-point range. He was incredible down the stretch for us last season."
"We are excited to add Elijah Tucker and Cesare Edwards to our Xavier Basketball Family," said Steele. "Both were very well-coached in high school."
Tucker, a four-year starter for Cherokee High School, earned All-State, First Team All-Region and First Team All-County honors as a junior after posting team highs of 18.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Tucker led his team to a 23-5 record and a Region Championship under head coach Roger Kvam. Tucker earned a three-star and No. 144 ranking from 247Sports.
"Elijah also played for the Georgia Stars, which is on the Nike EYBL circuit," said Steele. " Elijah is going to bring incredible versatility to our program. He can defend any position, and he has a very high basketball IQ. He is a young man that is trending in the right direction very quickly."
"His growth between his sophomore and junior years was tremendous," said Kvam. "He has gotten better every day he's been here. His stats don't tell the whole story because he also guards the other team's best player. He's super-athletic, very active on both ends of the court and he is just scratching the surface of his potential. He's also a winner, who helped us win the region title for the first time in over 60 years of the program."
Tucker's parents both enjoyed standout athletic careers at the University of Tennessee. LaShonda Stephens Tucker played for two national championship women's basketball teams, including a 39-0 squad in 1998. Josh Tucker played in the NFL after finishing his UT career.
Edwards, a standout at Hartsville High School, earned a four-star and No. 87 composite ranking from 247Sports. He averaged 15.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.3 assists as a junior under head coach Yusef English.
"Cesare competed with the Upwards Stars on the Adidas Circuit," said Steele. "Cesare has a unique skill set for his size because he can shoot, pass, dribble, and post up. He is extremely versatile. He is also a terrific rebounder."
"Cesare is the most complete player that I've ever coached," said English. "Cesare has a legitimate shot at finishing his career with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He has such a pure shooting motion. If there is a shot in the book he can make it, whether his back is to the basket, mid-range or 3-point range. He was incredible down the stretch for us last season."
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