FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 29, 2022) – With one year of eligibility remaining, Xavier Fuller is returning to his home state. Originally out of Mesa, Fuller – a 6-4 guard – will transfer to Northern Arizona following two years at South Dakota in an official announcement by head men's basketball coach
Shane Burcar on Tuesday.
"I couldn't be more excited about Xavier," Burcar said. "As a wing, he'll bring a defensive presence every night and the ability to score the ball at three levels. He's going to help us immediately."
Following two seasons at South Dakota, Fuller is a grad transfer to NAU, as he heads home to conclude his collegiate career. As a Lumberjack, Fuller will be reunited with Burcar, who coached Fuller as a prep during his final two seasons at Mesa High School.
During those two seasons (2016-17, 2017-18), Burcar coached Mesa High School to a combined 40-15 record with two appearances in the 6A State Playoffs. Fuller earned a pair of All-6A East Valley Region honors including a first team nod as a senior.
"I coached his brother (Aaron) at Mesa and he went on to play at Iowa and USC," Burcar said. "I've known Xavier since he was a little guy in elementary school. To see his growth as a person and a player has been fun to watch. He has great character and he's a winner and we value that in our program. We wish we would've had him sooner, but he's where he belongs."
A winning record is one thing that has followed Fuller throughout his collegiate career. Starting at Scottsdale Community College, Fuller's two teams there went 43-20 in two seasons. Over the last two seasons in Vermillion, S.D., Fuller and the Coyotes posted a combined 33-23 mark.
As a member of the Coyotes, Fuller played in 47 games and started 34 the last two seasons while averaging 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. In his final season, Fuller started 12 of South Dakota's first 13 games, including pouring in a season-high 20 points in 38 minutes during South Dakota's overtime win over NAU in Vermillion on Dec. 11. However an injury sidelined him from the end of December until the first weekend of February.
Prior to his injury, Fuller was averaging 12.8 points – up from his average of 8.9 the season prior when he was voted All-Summit League Honorable Mention. During his junior season in 2020-21, Fuller played in all 25 games and started the final 22. In addition to his 8.9 points, he averaged 4.9 rebounds and shot 50 percent from the floor, 36.4 percent from three and 89.1 percent at the line.
Fuller arrived at South Dakota via Scottsdale Community College where he averaged 22.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists during the 2019-20 season. As a sophomore, he earned NJCAA Division II First Team All-American honors in addition to picking up spots on the All-ACCAC and All-Region First Teams. Fuller was also a six-time ACCAC Player of the Week and two-time NJCAA National Player of the Week.
To stay up to date with the NAU men's basketball team, follow the Lumberjacks on
Twitter and
Instagram.
