Xavier Tyler Jerome Munford (born June 1, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for Reyer Venezia of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played two seasons of college basketball for the Rhode Island Rams.

Xavier Munford
No. 5 – Reyer Venezia
PositionPoint guard
LeagueLBA
Personal information
Born (1992-06-01) June 1, 1992 (age 32)
Hillside, New Jersey, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight173 lb (78 kg)
Career information
High schoolSaint Benedict's
(Newark, New Jersey)
College
NBA draft2014: undrafted
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2016Bakersfield Jam
2016Memphis Grizzlies
2016–2017Greensboro Swarm
2017FC Barcelona Lassa
2017–2018Wisconsin Herd
2017–2018Milwaukee Bucks
2018→Wisconsin Herd
2018Fujian Sturgeons
2019Wisconsin Herd
2019–2020Delaware Blue Coats
2020–2021Frutti Extra Bursaspor
2021–2022S.E. Melbourne Phoenix
2022–2024Hapoel Tel Aviv
2024–presentReyer Venezia
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA AmeriCup
Gold medal – first place 2017 Argentina

High school career

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Munford attended Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. As a senior in 2009–10, he helped the Grey Bees to a 26–1 record and the No. 2 national ranking, while averaging 12 points per game.[1]

College career

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As a freshman at Miami Dade College in 2010–11, Munford averaged 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 32 games. He was subsequently named the FCSAA's Newcomer of the Year and was a First Team All-NJCAA Region 8 selection.[1]

In 2011, Munford transferred to Iowa Western Community College, where as a sophomore in 2011–12, he averaged 16.6 points per game for the Reivers, leading the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). He helped guide Iowa Western to a 24–9 record en route to the NJCAA Region 11 finals, and was a 2011–12 NJCAA Division I All-American selection.[1]

Following the 2011–12 season, Munford signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the University of Rhode Island.[2]

As a junior playing for the Rhode Island Rams in 2012–13, Munford was named to the USBWA All-District I team.[1] In 29 games, he averaged 17.4 points (ranked third in the Atlantic 10 Conference), 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.4 minutes per game.[3]

As a senior in 2013–14, Munford became the fastest player in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau, getting there in his final home game for the Rams against Fordham.[4][5] In 32 games, he averaged 16.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.6 minutes per game.[3]

Professional career

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Bakersfield Jam (2014–2016)

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Munford went undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft. On November 1, 2014, Munford was selected by the Maine Red Claws in the third round of the 2014 NBA Development League Draft.[5] He was later traded to the Bakersfield Jam on draft night.[6] On November 14, he made his professional debut in a 127–125 loss to the Texas Legends, recording seven points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 10 minutes.[7] He appeared in 51 games for Bakersfield in 2014–15, averaging 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game.[8]

Los Angeles Lakers (2015)

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In July 2015, Munford joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2015 NBA Summer League.[9] On November 2, he returned to the Jam.[10] On January 29, 2016, he was named in the West All-Star team for the 2016 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[11][12] In 42 games for the Jam in 2015–16, he averaged 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

Memphis Grizzlies (2016)

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On March 16, 2016, Munford signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies to help the team deal with numerous injuries. Memphis had to use an NBA hardship exemption in order to sign him as he made their roster stand at 18, three over the allowed limited of 15.[13] The next day, he made his NBA debut in a 96–86 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, recording two points, one rebound and two steals in 11 minutes off the bench.[14] On March 27, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Grizzlies.[15] On April 1, he had a 12-point game against the Toronto Raptors.[16] On April 7, he signed a multi-year contract with the Grizzlies.[17] On June 25, 2016, the Grizzlies parted ways with Munford after they declined to exercise their team option on his contract for the 2016–17 season.[18][19]

Greensboro Swarm (2016–2017)

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In July 2016, Munford re-joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2016 NBA Summer League.[20] On September 26, 2016, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers,[21] but was later waived on October 12 after appearing in two preseason games.[22] On November 12, he was acquired by the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA Development League.[23]

Barcelona Lassa (2017)

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On February 3, 2017, Munford signed with FC Barcelona Lassa until the end of the season due to the injury problems of the Spanish team.[24] On June 8, 2017, Barcelona announced the end of their contract with Munford.[25]

Wisconsin Herd (2017–2018)

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Munford appeared in two games during the 2017 NBA Summer League for the Golden State Warriors.

On October 5, 2017, Munford signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[26] Seven days later, he was waived by the Bucks.[27] On October 15, 2017, the Greensboro Swarm traded Munford and a 2018 second-round pick to the Bucks affiliate Wisconsin Herd for their 2017 and 2018 first-round selections.[28]

Milwaukee Bucks (2018)

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On January 7, 2018, Munford signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, meaning throughout the rest of the season that year, he'd split his playing time between the Bucks and the affiliate Herd.[29] The move also resulted in the Bucks converting Sean Kilpatrick to a regular season contract, as well as waiving Joel Bolomboy from the Bucks after previously promoting him to a regular season contract as well.

Fujian Sturgeons (2018)

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On December 23, 2018, Munford was reported to have signed with Fujian Sturgeons,[30] and made his debut on the same day with a double-double, scoring 28 points, ten rebounds, five assists and a block in a 106–95 win over the Shanghai Sharks,[31] but was later reported to be replaced by Eugene Jeter after five days.[32]

Return to Wisconsin Herd (2019)

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On January 28, 2019, the Wisconsin Herd announced that they had signed Munford.[33]

Delaware Blue Coats (2019–2020)

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On October 26, 2019, Munford was named to the training camp roster of the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League.[34] Munford scored 34 points and had seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in a win against the Erie BayHawks on January 25, 2020.[35] On March 4, Munford posted 36 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 124–108 loss to the Long Island Nets.[36] During the 2019–20 season, Munford averaged 17.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.0 steal per game.[37]

Bursaspor (2020–2021)

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On August 2, 2020, Munford signed with Frutti Extra Bursaspor of the Turkish Super League (BSL).[37]

S.E. Melbourne Phoenix (2021–2022)

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On September 1, 2021, Munford signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Australia for the 2021–22 NBL season.[38]

Hapoel Tel Aviv (2022–2023)

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On July 18, 2022, Munford signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.[39]

Umana Rayer Venezia (2024–present)

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On July 26, 2024, Munford signed with Reyer Venezia of the Lega Basket Serie A.[40]

National team career

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Munford played with the senior United States national team at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup, where he won a gold medal.

NBA career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Memphis 14 0 17.4 .416 .391 .500 2.2 1.6 .9 .2 5.7
2017–18 Milwaukee 6 0 3.5 .167 .000 .500 .2 .7 .2 .0 .5
Career 20 0 13.3 .398 .360 .500 1.6 1.3 .7 .2 4.2

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016 Memphis 4 0 22.3 .321 .125 .000 2.3 2.5 1.5 .8 4.8
Career 4 0 22.3 .321 .125 .000 2.3 2.5 1.5 .8 4.8

Career statistics

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Domestic leagues

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Season Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014-15 Bakersfield Jam D-League 51 22.2 .523 .321 .779 3.4 2.8 1.0 .3 11.5
2015-16 41 33.2 .520 .414 .811 4.2 6.5 1.0 .4 20.4
2016-17 Greensboro Swarm D-League 30 37.2 .421 .316 .806 4.8 5.3 1.1 0.3 18.5

Personal life

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Munford is the son of Zamora and Darren Munford, and has a younger brother, Elijah.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Xavier Munford – Rhode Island". GoRhody.com. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  2. ^ "Reiver Shooting Guard Signs NCAA D1". GoReivers.com. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Xavier Munford Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  4. ^ Prunty, Brendan (March 10, 2014). "NCAA Court Vision: Rhode Island and Xavier Munford became perfect fit at the right time". NJ.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  5. ^ a b McNamara, Kevin (November 1, 2014). "Erik Murphy, Xavier Munford go in NBDL Draft". ProvidenceJournal.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  6. ^ "Bakersfield Jam Select Six Players in 2014 NBA D-League Draft". OurSportsCentral.com. November 1, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  7. ^ "Suns Assignee T.J. Warren Erupts For 40 Points in Loss on Friday". NBA.com. November 14, 2014. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  8. ^ Reichert, Chris (October 27, 2015). "Xavier Munford returns to the D-League for a breakout sophomore campaign". UpsideMotor.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Ascoli, Dave (July 17, 2015). "Xavier Munford Finishes Summer League with Lakers, Awaits Potential D-League Invite". UpsideMotor.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  10. ^ "Jam Announce 2015-16 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. November 2, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  11. ^ "Sixteen NBA Veterans Headline Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire". NBA.com. January 29, 2016. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  12. ^ "XAVIER MUNFORD NAMED 2016 NBA D-LEAGUE ALL-STAR". NBA.com. January 29, 2016. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  13. ^ "Grizzlies sign Xavier Munford to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  14. ^ "Ennis' big fourth lead Bucks past Grizzlies 96-86". NBA.com. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "Grizzlies sign Xavier Munford to second 10-day contract". InsideHoops.com. March 27, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "DeRozan, Lowry lead Raptors past Grizzlies 99-95". NBA.com. April 1, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  17. ^ "Grizzlies sign Xavier Munford to multi-year contract". NBA.com. April 7, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  18. ^ Tillery, Ronald (June 25, 2016). "Report: Griz waive guard Xavier Munford". CommercialAppeal.com. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  19. ^ Schuhmann, John (July 1, 2016). "FREE AGENCY UPDATE: OPTIONS AND QUALIFYING OFFERS". NBA.com. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  20. ^ "Lakers Announce 2016 Summer League Roster". NBA.com. July 1, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  21. ^ "L.A. CLIPPERS ANNOUNCE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER". NBA.com. September 26, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  22. ^ "Clippers Waive Munford and Wright". NBA.com. October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  23. ^ "Greensboro Swarm Announce Opening Night Roster". WFMYNews2.com. November 12, 2016. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  24. ^ "Barcelona brings in Munford at point". Euroleague.net. February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  25. ^ "Alex Renfroe i Xavier Munford no seguiran al Barça Lassa". fcbarcelona.cat (in Spanish). June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  26. ^ "Bucks Sign Xavier Munford". NBA.com. October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  27. ^ "Bucks Request Waivers on Xavier Munford". NBA.com. October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  28. ^ "Wisconsin Herd Acquire Returning Player Rights to Xavier Munford". NBA.com. October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  29. ^ "Bucks Sign Xavier Munford To Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  30. ^ "再换小外!福建签下美国男篮国手后卫". sina.com.cn (in Chinese). December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  31. ^ "Fujian v Shanghai Sharks". sportando.basketball. December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  32. ^ "福建新外援3场就被弃用 杰特"下岗"5天回归". sina.com.cn (in Chinese). December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  33. ^ Chappell, Robert (January 29, 2019). "Xavier Munford Returns to Herd". Fox Valley 365. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  34. ^ "Delaware Blue Coats Announce 2019 Training Camp Roster and Schedule". NBA.com. October 26, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  35. ^ "Xavier Munford: Leads team in scoring". CBS Sports. January 26, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  36. ^ "Xavier Munford: Puts up 36 points". CBS Sports. March 5, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  37. ^ a b "Bursaspor inks Xavier Munford". Eurobasket. August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  38. ^ "Phoenix Sign Point Guard Xavier Munford". NBL.com.au. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  39. ^ Carchia, Emiliano (July 18, 2022). "Hapoel Tel Aviv lands Xavier Munford". Sportando. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  40. ^ "Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
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