Pinson averaged over 10 points in 116 games across career with Missouri and LSU.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Yet another big-time add for the Aggies. Xavier Pinson will make his way to the Land of Enchantment after formerly starring at Missouri and LSU.
 
Head Coach Greg Heiar announced Friday that the three-star recruit has signed a National Letter of Intent and will become the fifth Chicago native to be featured on the Aggie roster.
 
Xavier Pinson | G | Sr. | 6-2 | 165 | Chicago, Ill. | LSU | Missouri | Simeon Academy | 2021-22 Highlights
· Served as LSU’s starting point guard last season for 27 of 28 games he participated in – averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game while maintaining a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio in 28.1 minutes of playing time.
· Helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 start to the season and an overall record of 22-12 and 9-9 in SEC play – a league considered by many to be the best in the country.
· Posted double figures in 16 games during his lone season in Baton Rouge, La.
· Tallied a season-high 26 points, including 12-of-13 at the line while adding eight assists on the road at No. 6 Kentucky.
· Concluded the year with seven or more assists in five of the last nine games of the season.
· Collected 53 total steals during the 2021-22 campaign, highlighted by seven thefts against Wake Forest in the championship game of the Emerald Classic.
· Finished fourth in the SEC in assists average, eighth in free-throw percentage (.812), seventh in steals average and ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio.
· Prior to transferring to LSU, he spent three years at Missouri where he played in 88 games and made 49 starts for the Tigers.
· In three years with Mizzou, he averaged 10.3 points, 2.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game in addition to shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 81.5 percent from the charity stripe.
· Capped off his career with the Tigers by averaging a career-best 13.6 points to go along with 2.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
· Aided in lifting Missouri to a 16-10 overall record, an 8-8 record in SEC play and an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
· Reached double-digit scoring figures 18 times in his junior season, headlined by a 36-point outburst in which he knocked down eight triples to lead the Tigers past TCU.
· His sophomore season averages included 11.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He elevated his play against SEC opponents to average 13.3 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 38.7 percent from the field and 83.7 percent from the free-throw line.
· Turned the corner to end his second season with the Tigers – posting 18.9 points per game while scoring at least 20 points four times across the final nine games of the 2019-20 season.
· Posted a season-high 32 points to lead the Tigers to victory over Ole Miss on Feb. 18, 2020.
· Played in 31 of Mizzou’s 32 games as a freshman, making 12 starts and averaging 6.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest.
· Shot 41.2 percent from the field and ranked second on the team in 3-point field goal percentage (min. 25 attempts), shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.
· Achieved a scoring line of 10-plus points nine times while notching a season-high 20 points in the Tigers’ final regular-season outing of the season.
· Played his senior year of high school basketball at Simeon Career Academy alongside current Los Angeles Laker Talen Horton-Tucker.
· Averaged 11.9 points and 3.8 assists per game to help the Wolverines to Class 4A sectional and Chicago Public League titles.
· Joins Mike Peake, Kiran Oliver, DeJuan Gordon and Deshawndre Washington to become fifth member of the Aggies 2022-23 roster to hail from Chicago.
 
What they’re saying about Pinson
NM State head coach Greg Heiar | “I’m really excited to announce the signing of Xavier “X” Pinson. He brings a wealth of Power Five big game experience while averaging double figures for his career, he’s shot over 80 percent from the free-throw line for his career. He is what I call a “Finisher”. He lives in the paint and prides himself on difficult finishes. He is a perfect fit in our up-tempo style of play because he loves to play make for others but can also really play make for himself on both ends of the floor! Xavier’s personality, work ethic, love for the game and competitive edge will make him a joy to coach and be around daily! His ability to listen, try, apply and compete means he’s only going to continue to grow into the best version of himself. Great day to be an Aggie. #AggieUp”

COURTESY NEW MEXICO STATE ATHLETICS