Blackjack and walks on the beach: How Xavier's new-look roster bonded this offseason
What better way to get to know your new teammates than in a tropical paradise?
On multiple occasions, Xavier head coach Sean Miller stressed the importance of the team's trip to Nassau, Bahamas in August for the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League.
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The NCAA permits college teams to take a foreign trip every four years, which was perfect time for a Musketeers' roster with so many fresh faces and two key players (Jerome Hunter and Zach Freemantle) out for the season.
"We were together on that trip, and I think that really helped everybody’s confidence moving forward that we were gonna be OK without them," Miller said at Big East Media Day last month.
Sure, the Xavier coaching staff enjoyed the extra permitted practices for a new team to gel. Off the court, the first-year Musketeers were able to establish a bond they continue to grow with the season-opener around the corner.
"I think we all got closer just from that one trip. Not a lot of people would’ve known we had only been together for only maybe three months. That trip definitely helped," sophomore Desmond Claude said.
While Claude is expected to make a big jump as one of Xavier's key cogs this season as a sophomore, it was transfer guard Quincy Olivari who led the teambuilding exercises off the court.
"I taught them boys how to play blackjack. I was the blackjack guy," Olivari said. "We walked the beach, had some water park fun, but I was the blackjack guy."
Xavier comfortably won its pair of exhibition contests in The Bahamas; many learned a new card game and everyone got to know their new teammates before the upcoming seven-month grind of the season. Olivari continued to grow that relationship with Xavier's six-man freshmen class.
"Hanging out with Trey (Green), Dailyn (Swain), Kachi (Nzeh) and Lazar (Djokovic) and all the new guys off the court so they could realize they have somebody they can trust outside of basketball. I think that’s one of the biggest adjustments coming to college, in general, and being away from family," Olivari said. "Just bonding with brothers on and off the court, so when you do get on the court and you make a mistake or you’re doing well, you have someone you can come to and still feel free.”
Nassau was just the first step in connecting a new-look roster before the 2023-24 season tips off. A few weeks before the trip, Xavier added international transfer Gytis Nemeiksa, who would play one game in the Bahamas. Next came two international commits − forward Lazar Djokovic on Aug. 11 and Sasa Ciana a month later.
There were some unexpected on-court hurdles to get through.
“I guess overseas they’re allowed to take the ball off the rim if it’s going in and we’re like, ‘it’s goaltending, you can’t do that.’ Then they get confused," Claude said. "They’re funny and enjoyable to be around. They all play hard. They’re very intelligent and smart.”
Once the rules were crystal clear, there was still a language barrier, but winning remains a common mindset for everyone in a Musketeer uniform regardless of their backstory.
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"It was definitely hard at first. I think we all know now it’s more about teaching them and showing them then just saying it out loud. Show them the steps you gotta take to get to where we need to be," Olivari said. "At the end of the day, we all want to win so that’s something we have in common.”
Claude added: "We all bonded quickly, we’re all competitive, we stick together even through rough times. Everybody is easy going, coachable, wants to get better and wants to win. I think everybody on this team is on the same page.”
Transfers 'very excited' for Xavier debut
While they may be new to Xavier, transfers like Olivari and Dayvion McKnight have only heard stories of playing in front of a capacity crowd at Cintas Center. Those stories will turn into a reality when Xavier opens the season on Monday against Robert Morris.
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"On a real note, every day A.C. (associate head coach Adam Cohen) reminds me he can’t wait for me to experience my first game at Cintas," Olivari said. "As we’re getting closer, they’re telling me 10,300 people will be here. Jerome (Hunter) has told me that playing here is a different experience. Very excited."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Blackjack and walks on the beach: How Xavier basketball bonded
