Xavier University Athletics
Belmont Leading Scorer Joins Xavier Basketball Program
07.30.20 | Men's Basketball
Travis Steele received signed scholarship papers from Adam Kunkel.
CINCINNATI --- Sedler Family Men's Basketball Head Coach Travis Steele announced that Xavier University has received the signed scholarship papers from 6-3 guard Adam Kunkel, who is transferring from Belmont University. Kunkel, who will practice but sit out games in the 2020-21 season per NCAA transfer rules, will have two years of eligibility remaining, starting with the 2021-22 season. Kunkel hails from nearby Hebron, Ky., and was a prep basketball star at Cooper High School.
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"We are really excited about adding Adam Kunkel to our Xavier Family," said Steele. "First and foremost, Adam is a winner. He had a very successful high school career at Cooper High School. Adam was part of the Belmont University program that won two Ohio Valley Conference Championships. He has also participated in the NCAA Tournament. Adam is ultra-competitive and is very skilled. He has an ability to create his own shot and create for his teammates. Adam plays with an edge that Xavier fans will love. I am excited to see how much Adam will improve during his red-shirt year."
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Kunkel, 2019-20 Lou Henson All-America Team selection, NABC All-District and All-OVC First Team selection, was Belmont's leading scoring at 16.5 ppg. as a sophomore. His team finished 26-7 overall this past season and finished 15-3 and won the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title for a second straight year. Kunkel's team also won the OVC Tournament, which would have put his team in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year until the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled March Madness.
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Kunkel ranked among the OVC leaders in 10 statistical categories, including seventh in points per game (16.5 ppg.), second in 3-point field goals made (83) and second in free throw percentage (.821). Kunkel earned a spot on the OVC All-Tournament Team after contributing 16 points and five assists in the 76-75 championship game win over Murray State on March 7, which turned out to be his last game in a Bruins' uniform. One big highlight of his sophomore season was a career-high 35-point game, including five 3-pointers, in the win at Boston College on Nov. 16.
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Kunkel, 2018 Kentucky Boys' All-State selection by the Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal, averaged 20.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 51 percent field goal shooting and 45 percent 3-point shooting as senior.  He was also selected to the 2018 Cincinnati.com All-Cincinnati Area Boys' Basketball Team and as the 2018 Kentucky Co-Ninth Region Player of the Year.
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"We are really excited about adding Adam Kunkel to our Xavier Family," said Steele. "First and foremost, Adam is a winner. He had a very successful high school career at Cooper High School. Adam was part of the Belmont University program that won two Ohio Valley Conference Championships. He has also participated in the NCAA Tournament. Adam is ultra-competitive and is very skilled. He has an ability to create his own shot and create for his teammates. Adam plays with an edge that Xavier fans will love. I am excited to see how much Adam will improve during his red-shirt year."
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Kunkel, 2019-20 Lou Henson All-America Team selection, NABC All-District and All-OVC First Team selection, was Belmont's leading scoring at 16.5 ppg. as a sophomore. His team finished 26-7 overall this past season and finished 15-3 and won the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title for a second straight year. Kunkel's team also won the OVC Tournament, which would have put his team in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year until the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled March Madness.
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Kunkel ranked among the OVC leaders in 10 statistical categories, including seventh in points per game (16.5 ppg.), second in 3-point field goals made (83) and second in free throw percentage (.821). Kunkel earned a spot on the OVC All-Tournament Team after contributing 16 points and five assists in the 76-75 championship game win over Murray State on March 7, which turned out to be his last game in a Bruins' uniform. One big highlight of his sophomore season was a career-high 35-point game, including five 3-pointers, in the win at Boston College on Nov. 16.
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Kunkel, 2018 Kentucky Boys' All-State selection by the Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal, averaged 20.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 51 percent field goal shooting and 45 percent 3-point shooting as senior.  He was also selected to the 2018 Cincinnati.com All-Cincinnati Area Boys' Basketball Team and as the 2018 Kentucky Co-Ninth Region Player of the Year.
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