Xavier 2016 Season in Review: James Farr Player Report Card

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's Banners on the Parkway postseason player report cards. We'll be breaking down each player's grades for the rest of this week and on into next week, where we'll reveal the top finisher according to the community. We'll also be assigning and explaining our own grades of each player. We'll start with the player who got the lowest community ranking and work our way up to the MVP. Visit our 2016: Season in Review page for every player breakdown.

Roughly midway through last season, locked in a shooting slump that had seen him go from a nearly unguardable stretch four to basically invisible on offense, it was hard to see what exactly James Farr was bringing to the table for X. The fact he ran away with our MVP vote with  nearly 85% of ballots ranking him an A shows what exactly he did end up being for X.

Offense: A

Farr was not always what he was this season on offense. He dabbled in facing up 20 feet from the basket the past two seasons before adopting a more traditional game this year. He still possessed a sweet stroke from the mid range and an array of post moves built on his opponents fear of letting him use his left hand. A 56% mark from two point range is especially impressive considering the jump shots he took and the fact that he displayed a touch from the line in shooting 72% and ripped down 15% of Xavier's misses pushed him from a nice secondary option on offense to an absolute battering ram of a big man that teams had to game plan for when he came off the bench.

Defense: A

Farr was never going to be the guy to blow you away with his athleticism, but he was a study in using size to your advantage on defense. Farr was Xavier's leader in block rate this season and patrolled the bottom of the 1-3-1 looking to turn away any guard who was able to get to him. However, all the defense in the world is worthless if you can't end possessions, and that is what Farr did better than anyone else on X and almost everyone else in college basketball. Just over a quarter of the time when an opponent missed, by luck, hustle, intelligence, or just being physically stronger, James Farr was going to end up with that ball. X went on some amazing runs this season, some of which Farr fueled with points, but all of which he fueled by holding opponents to one shot possessions.

Overall: A

Farr is going to be a big miss for Xavier next year, no doubt. His combination of face up and post moves isn't easily replicated and his nose for every single ball off the rim is something that, on a certain level, can't be taught. James Farr completed his chrysalis this season and emerged as the best player in a talent laden roster. Congratulations, Big Game James in being named Banners MVP for the season; you can come pick your trophy up at Banners HQ in our mom's basement.