Xavier lands 2017 G Elias Harden

Just a couple of days after finding out that he was still in the running for two of the biggest names in the 2017 class, Coach Mack received even more good news. 2017 guard Elias Harden committed to Xavier last night. Harden is a 6-5, 180 guard who carries a slightly larger frame than the whippet thin Edmond Sumner.

Extremely blessed #Xmen17 pic.twitter.com/cGoj2YRa5Y

— Elias Harden4⃣ (@easymoneyEII) July 27, 2016

Scout and Rivals both have Harden as a four star recruit and in the top 100, if only just, in the country. ESPN, somewhat bizarrely, acts as if they have never heard of the Georgia native. Harden is a competent shooter who is best when he can get his feet under him. When running the floor, Harden can get to the rim and use his body to absorb some contact. Defensively, that same frame suits Harden well when on the ball and could see him turn into a Remy Abell type defender.

This gives Xavier a potentially loaded 2017 backcourt already. If Edmond Sumner were to stay, the Musketeers would suit up Sumner, JP Macura, Quentin Goodin, and now Harden as guards. That's if literally no one else signs, which obviously isn't going to happen. Once again, the recruiting trends show Xavier still on the way up.