By Stretch Jenkinson

01.22.24

CINCINNATI — Xavier University sophomore Desmond Claude was named to the BIG EAST Conference Honor Roll for the third time this season and the second-straight week on Monday after averaging 22.5 ppg., 6.5 apg. and 4.0 rpg. in wins this past week over Butler on Jan. 16 and Georgetown on Jan. 19. Claude had a hand in eight of XU’s final 10 points to help erase a five-point deficit in the Georgetown game with under three minutes left. He scored six of XU’s final 10 points and had the assist on the game-winning dunk by freshman Dailyn Swain.

Claude, who also earned a spot on the BIG EAST Honor Roll on Jan. 15 and Nov. 13, is second on the team and 10th in the BIG EAST in scoring at 16.0 ppg. after scoring 19 points with a career-high nine assists vs. Georgetown on Jan. 19 and a career-high 26 points in the Butler win on Jan. 16. Claude is second on the team in assists at 4.0 apg. (ninth in the BIG EAST) and second in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.06 (eighth in the BIG EAST).

Claude is one of three Musketeers that have been honored by the BIG EAST so far this season. Graduate student Quincy Olivari earned an Honor Roll spot three-straight weeks in December (Dec. 11, Dec. 18 and Dec. 27) and freshman Lazar Djokovic earned Freshman of the Week on Nov. 27.

COURTESY XAVIER ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS