Your Quick Guide to Xavier's Seven New Players

Xavier has more guys coming in than guys coming back, so there is going to be a little bit of a breaking in period as everyone becomes familiar with the new names and faces on the squad. We've got the information you need to be a leg up on everyone else when the season rolls around.

Transfer:

Remy Abell - 6'4" combo guard - Junior transfer from Indiana
Abell comes in with a reputation for hard-nosed defense and being a solid shooter. He played 68 games in two years at Indiana and boasts six games of NCAA tournament experience. Transfers have been a huge part of the Xavier program, and it seems likely that Remy Abell will be asked to play a big role from day one for this young and talented team.

Freshmen:

Larry Austin, Jr. - 6'2" point guard - Lanphier (Springfield, Ill.)
After Justin Martin opened up a scholarship by transferring to SMU, Xavier moved quickly to add Larry Austin, Jr. Austin is a pass-first point guard who is known to be a vocal leader on and off the floor. He is not a dynamic scorer (yet), but he led the team in assists and steals in Brazil and figures to be a capable understudy to Dee Davis.

JP Macura - 6'5" guard - Lakeville North (Lakeville, Minn.)
Macura is a shooter first and foremost, but he can get buckets off the bounce and at the rim. He has the kind of range and fearlessness Xavier fans came to know and love from Brad Redford, but with a more well-rounded game and six extra inches of height. I could find videos that showed you more of his game, but I don't think any one tells more about him as a player than the one below. Cold blooded.

Sean O'Mara - 6'9" center - Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.)
O'Mara is a husky lad who played both basketball and football for four years in high school. He is traditional, back-to-the-basket big man player in the mold of Matt Stainbrook, and Coach Mack has also noted O'Mara's feel for the game and advanced passing abilities out of the post. He is a relentless rebounder, having led his team in rebounding in every game but one as a senior and finishing behind only James Farr and Jalen Reynolds in rebounding in Brazil.

Trevon Bluiett - 6'6" wing - Park Tudor (Indianapolis, In.)
Widely regarded as the gem of Coach Mack's recruiting class, Bluiett is a wing who can score the ball from deep, mid-range, and at the rim. He graduated as his school's leading scorer and rebounder, sixth all-time scorer in Indiana, and a finalist for Mr. Basketball. He was rated the fourth-best shooter in the class by ESPN and FOX Sports and was a four-star recruit according to every reputable service. He was a verbal commit at UCLA before opening up his recruitment to play closer to home. On top of all that, he also led the team in offensive rebounds in Brazil.

Edmond Sumner - 6'4" combo guard - Country Day (Detroit, Mich.)
Sumner is as wiry as they come, but he has an advanced skill set and explosive athleticism. He was two-time all-state and on the short list for Michigan's Mr. Basketball and the McDonald's All-American team. He requires space to get his shot off, but he is more than adept at creating it. Anyone who crowds him is likely to be shown a clean pair of heels on the way to the basket.

Makinde London - 6'10" forward - Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
London was a lightly heralded 6'1" guard when he began his high school career and a skilled 6'10" forward when he stepped onto campus for Xavier. Growth spurt aside, London has retained the shooting stroke and handle he had as a much smaller man and will become more of a force inside as he continues to gain weight. He is a capable rim protector on defense and can play pick-and-pop and hit spot-up threes on the other end.

There's your quick rundown on who all seven of these guys are. We'll discuss what each of our writers expects from the group a little more this week, then preview them more extensively as we continue to build up to the season opener. Monitor this space, because the season is fast approaching.