Desmond Claude

Desmond Claude (Left) in Michigan in 2024
American college basketball player
Desmond Claude
USC Trojans
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
LeagueBig Ten Conference
Personal information
Born (2003-05-30) May 30, 2003 (age 21)
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school
  • Hillhouse
    (New Haven, Connecticut)
  • Putnam Science Academy
    (Putnam, Connecticut)
College
Career highlights and awards
  • Big East Conference Most Improved Player (2024)
  • Big East Conference All-Freshman Team (2023)

Desmond Claude (born May 30, 2003) is an American college basketball player for the University of Southern California Trojans of the Big Ten Conference. He previously played for the Xavier University Musketeers of the Big East Conference from 2022-2024.

Early life and high school

Claude was born in Syracuse, New York and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. He initially attended Hillhouse High School before transferring to Putnam Science Academy for his senior season.[1] Claude played AAU for Todd Quarles at Expressions Elite. Claude was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college basketball at Xavier University over offers from Kansas and Louisville.[2] He reaffirmed his commitment to Xavier after head coach Travis Steele who recruited Claude was fired.[3]

College career

Claude was a key reserve during his freshman season. His playing time increased over the course of the season and he scored at least ten points in five of the Musketeers' last 11 games.[4] Claude was named to the Big East Conference All-Freshman team after averaging 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.[5][6] Claude started all 34 Musketeers' games as a sophomore averaging 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. [7] Claude was named the Big East Conference Most Improved Player and Led the Big East Conference in scoring for the month of March 2024. [8][9]

Personal life

Claude's mother, Paula Moore, played college basketball at Syracuse University and his father, Chris Rivers, played at Fairfield University.[10]

References

  1. ^ Jacobs, Jeff (September 18, 2021). "Basketball recruit Desmond Claude getting attention of college coaches at Putnam Science". CTInsider.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. ^ London, Dushawn (January 20, 2022). "Xavier lands four-star point guard Desmond Claude". 247Sports.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Baum, Adam (April 3, 2022). "Xavier commit Desmond Claude announces he's sticking with the Musketeers". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "'I want to make the big jump.' Desmond Claude eyes bigger role for Xavier basketball". Cincinnati Enquirer. August 31, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "Xavier basketball: Observations from 2nd week of fall practice". Cincinnati Enquirer. October 5, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  6. ^ Borges, David (October 29, 2023). "Claude among key CT players in Big East". CTInsider.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "Desmond Claude - Men's Basketball". USC Athletics. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  8. ^ "Claude, Big East's Most Improved, to join USC". ESPN.com. 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  9. ^ "Desmond Claude - Men's Basketball". Xavier University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  10. ^ "New Haven product Desmond Claude happy with commitment to Xavier: 'It was a better overall fit'". CTInsider.com. February 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  • Xavier University Musketeers bio
  • University of Southern California Trojans bio