Xavier University Athletics
Men's Basketball Signs Former Drake and New Mexico Guard Braden Appelhans
05.07.26 | Men's Basketball
Appelhans played three seasons under Pitino at New Mexico.
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University head coach Richard Pitino announced the signing of Braden Appelhans to an athletics aid agreement. Appelhans, a 6-6 guard from Blue Springs, Mo., played this past season at Drake. Prior to Drake, he played three seasons under Pitino at New Mexico, including a redshirt freshman year in the 2022-23 season.
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"We are excited about the addition of Braden," said Pitino. "He was very impactful in our success at New Mexico. Braden is an elite shooter. He has positional size and versatility."
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Appelhans played in 27 games this past season at Drake, averaging 5.3 points in 13.6 minutes per game, while hitting 40.0 percent (36-90) from 3-point range. He hit 10-14 from 3-point range for 30 points in a Dec. 2 win over Western Illinois, setting a school record for most made 3-pointers in a game. He missed the last five games of the season due to injury.
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Appelhans played on back-to-back Mountain West Champion and NCAA Tournament teams at New Mexico under Pitino. UNM recorded a 17-3 league record and captured the 2024-25 Mountain West Conference Regular Season Championship. In the 2023-24 season, New Mexico finished 26-10 record, winning the Mountain West Tournament Championship and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. Appelhans played in in 16 games in the 2023-24 season and 31 games in the 2024-25 season. He played 9.9 minutes per game and shot 43.8 percent (28-64) from 3-point range in that 2024-25 season.
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"We are excited about the addition of Braden," said Pitino. "He was very impactful in our success at New Mexico. Braden is an elite shooter. He has positional size and versatility."
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Appelhans played in 27 games this past season at Drake, averaging 5.3 points in 13.6 minutes per game, while hitting 40.0 percent (36-90) from 3-point range. He hit 10-14 from 3-point range for 30 points in a Dec. 2 win over Western Illinois, setting a school record for most made 3-pointers in a game. He missed the last five games of the season due to injury.
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Appelhans played on back-to-back Mountain West Champion and NCAA Tournament teams at New Mexico under Pitino. UNM recorded a 17-3 league record and captured the 2024-25 Mountain West Conference Regular Season Championship. In the 2023-24 season, New Mexico finished 26-10 record, winning the Mountain West Tournament Championship and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. Appelhans played in in 16 games in the 2023-24 season and 31 games in the 2024-25 season. He played 9.9 minutes per game and shot 43.8 percent (28-64) from 3-point range in that 2024-25 season.
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