Jeff Xavier (CPV) - Cape Verde v Algeria, Afrobasket 2015, Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 22 August 2015
RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Jeff Xavier led Club Baloncesto Burgos to the national title in Spain's second tier Lega Espanola de Baloncesto (LEB) last season and he is hoping to have a similar winning impact with Cape Verde at AfroBasket 2015.
The Islanders closed their Group D campaign undefeated in three games on Monday and the 29-year-old shooting guard - who joined the team a week before the tournament tipped off - is already making his present felt as he currently leads the team in scoring, averaging 20 points a game.
RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Jeff Xavier led Club Baloncesto Burgos to the national title in Spain's second tier Lega Espanola de Baloncesto (LEB) last season and he is hoping to have a similar winning impact with Cape Verde at AfroBasket 2015.
The Islanders closed their Group D campaign undefeated in three games on Monday and the 29-year-old shooting guard - who joined the team a week before the tournament tipped off - is already making his present felt as he currently leads the team in scoring, averaging 20 points a game.
The 29-year-old and the rest of the team are aiming high in Tunisia 2015.
Talking to FIBA.com, the 1.87m guard said the team has not set any specific goals, but qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics is something they are not ruling out.
"Of course, that's why I am here. Who doesn't want to play in the Olympics?" he said.
"Hopefully we have what it takes to get there.
"I am going to do everything it takes to win a basketball game.
"I have told these guys that I haven't lost a game side December 27 [2014].
"Last year we won 14 games in a row and we won the league [LEB]."
In Rades, Cape Verde have beaten Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe in Group D.
If I am part of the team we are going to win. - Xavier
Cape Verde are one of the most exciting teams to watch at AfroBasket 2015 because of their athleticism and ability to shoot from the long-range.
However, on the defensive end, they lack in size.
'Edy' Walter Tavares, a 2.22m center, pulled out of the team to concentrate on his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks.
Xavier feels they can compete, anyway.
We are going game by game, minute by minute and quarter by quarter. - Xavier
"We are small, but we are athletic and quick and we can shoot the ball," he explained.
"We are not the best rebounding team in the tournament. Obviously 'Edy' could have helped us in that aspect.
As for his club career, Xavier has spent the past six seasons playing professional basketball in Spain.
But he will embark on a new experience later this summer in joining Germany outfit Medi Bayreuth of the Basketball Bundesliga.
"I am super excited. I can't wait to go back," he said.
"Germany is more of an offensive league, whereas, Spain, in general, is more about defense."
Cape will take on Gabon in the Round of 16.
Talking to FIBA.com, the 1.87m guard said the team has not set any specific goals, but qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics is something they are not ruling out.
"Of course, that's why I am here. Who doesn't want to play in the Olympics?" he said.
"Hopefully we have what it takes to get there.
"I am going to do everything it takes to win a basketball game.
"I have told these guys that I haven't lost a game side December 27 [2014].
"Last year we won 14 games in a row and we won the league [LEB]."
In Rades, Cape Verde have beaten Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe in Group D.
If I am part of the team we are going to win. - Xavier
Cape Verde are one of the most exciting teams to watch at AfroBasket 2015 because of their athleticism and ability to shoot from the long-range.
However, on the defensive end, they lack in size.
'Edy' Walter Tavares, a 2.22m center, pulled out of the team to concentrate on his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks.
Xavier feels they can compete, anyway.
We are going game by game, minute by minute and quarter by quarter. - Xavier
"We are small, but we are athletic and quick and we can shoot the ball," he explained.
"We are not the best rebounding team in the tournament. Obviously 'Edy' could have helped us in that aspect.
As for his club career, Xavier has spent the past six seasons playing professional basketball in Spain.
But he will embark on a new experience later this summer in joining Germany outfit Medi Bayreuth of the Basketball Bundesliga.
"I am super excited. I can't wait to go back," he said.
"Germany is more of an offensive league, whereas, Spain, in general, is more about defense."
Cape will take on Gabon in the Round of 16.
By: FIBA.com
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