Xavier Tyler Jerome Munford (born June 1, 1992) is an American professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...
player for
Hapoel Tel Aviv of the
Israeli Basketball Premier League and the Eurocup. He played two seasons of
college basketball
In United States colleges, top-tier basketball is governed by collegiate athletic bodies including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the United States Collegiate Athleti ...
for the
Rhode Island Rams
The Rhode Island Rams are the athletic programs of the University of Rhode Island, based in Kingston, Rhode Island, United States. The Rams compete in the NCAA's Division I as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The football team, howev ...
.
High school career
Munford attended
Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
St. Benedict's Preparatory School is a Catholic college preparatory school in Newark, New Jersey run by the Benedictines.
The school serves boys and girls in kindergarten through twelfth grade on a urban campus. The school has been accredit ...
in
Newark, New Jersey
Newark ( , ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County and the second largest city within the New York metropolitan area.[Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (Miami Dade, MDC or Dade) is a public college in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1959, it has a total of eight campuses and twenty-one outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County. It is the largest college in the Florida College S ...]
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.
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.
Following the 2011–12 season, Munford signed a
National Letter of Intent to play
college basketball
In United States colleges, top-tier basketball is governed by collegiate athletic bodies including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the United States Collegiate Athleti ...
for the
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island (URI) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Kingston, Rhode Island, United States. It is the flagship public research as well as the land-grant university of the state of Rhode Isla ...
.
As a junior playing for the Rhode Island Rams in 2012–13, Munford was named to the USBWA All-District I team.
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.
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.
In 32 games, he averaged 16.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.6 minutes per game.
Professional career
Bakersfield Jam (2014–2016)
Munford went undrafted in the
2014 NBA Draft
The 2014 NBA draft was held on June 26, 2014, at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. ...
. On November 1, 2014, Munford was selected by the
Maine Red Claws
The Maine Celtics (formerly the Maine Red Claws) are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Portland, Maine, and are affiliated with the Boston Celtics. The Maine Celtics play their home games at the Portland Expo B ...
in the third round of the
2014 NBA Development League Draft.
He was later traded to the
Bakersfield Jam
Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is the county seat and largest city of Kern County. The city covers about near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Valley region. Bakersfield's pop ...
on draft night. On November 14, he made his professional debut in a 127–125 loss to the
Texas Legends
The Texas Legends are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Frisco, Texas, and are affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks. The Legends play their home games at the Comerica Center. The team began as the Colorado ...
, recording seven points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 10 minutes. 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.
Los Angeles Lakers (2015)
In July 2015, Munford joined the
Los Angeles Lakers for the
2015 NBA Summer League
The 2015 NBA Summer League consisted of three pro basketball leagues organized by the NBA: the Orlando Pro Summer League, Utah Jazz Summer League, and Las Vegas Summer League.
Ten teams participated in the week-long Orlando Pro Summer League at ...
. On November 2, he returned to the Jam. On January 29, 2016, he was named in the West All-Star team for the 2016
NBA D-League All-Star Game
The NBA D-League All-Star Game was an annual exhibition basketball game held by the NBA Development League (D-League). The D-League was founded in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) and later as the NBA Development League. ...
. 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)
On March 16, 2016, Munford signed a 10-day contract with the
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference ...
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. The next day, he made his NBA debut in a 96–86 loss to the
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...
, recording two points, one rebound and two steals in 11 minutes off the bench. On March 27, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Grizzlies. On April 1, he had a 12-point game against the
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. They play their home games a ...
. On April 7, he signed a multi-year contract with the Grizzlies. 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.
Greensboro Swarm (2016–2017)
In July 2016, Munford re-joined the
Los Angeles Lakers for the
2016 NBA Summer League
The 2016 NBA Summer League consisted of three pro basketball leagues organized by the National Basketball Association (NBA): the Orlando Pro Summer League, Utah Jazz Summer League, and Las Vegas Summer League.
Ten teams participated in the week- ...
. On September 26, 2016, he signed with the
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...
, but was later waived on October 12 after appearing in two preseason games. On November 12, he was acquired by the
Greensboro Swarm
The Greensboro Swarm are an American basketball team of the NBA G League based in Greensboro, North Carolina, and are affiliated with the Charlotte Hornets. The Swarm play their home games at the Greensboro Coliseum Fieldhouse. The team became ...
of the
NBA Development League.
Barcelona Lassa (2017)
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. On June 8, 2017, Barcelona announced the end of their contract with Munford.
Wisconsin Herd (2017–2018)
Munford appeared in two games during the
2017 NBA Summer League
The 2017 NBA Summer League consisted of three pro basketball leagues organized by the National Basketball Association (NBA): the Orlando Pro Summer League, Utah Jazz Summer League, and Las Vegas Summer League.
Eight teams participated in the wee ...
for the
Golden State Warriors.
On October 5, 2017, Munford signed with the
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...
. Seven days later, he was waived by the Bucks. On October 15, 2017, the
Greensboro Swarm
The Greensboro Swarm are an American basketball team of the NBA G League based in Greensboro, North Carolina, and are affiliated with the Charlotte Hornets. The Swarm play their home games at the Greensboro Coliseum Fieldhouse. The team became ...
traded Munford and a 2018 second-round pick to the Bucks affiliate
Wisconsin Herd
The Wisconsin Herd are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and are affiliated with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Herd play their home games at Oshkosh Arena.
History
On June 29, 2016, it was annou ...
for their 2017 and 2018 first-round selections.
Milwaukee Bucks (2018)
On January 7, 2018, Munford signed a
two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract that stipulates that an athlete's salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play. This is opposed to a one-way contract that would pay the same salary regardless of ...
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. The move also resulted in the Bucks converting
Sean Kilpatrick
Sean Redell Kilpatrick (born January 6, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Fujian Sturgeons of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). A 6'4" shooting guard born in Yonkers, New York, during his senior season of 2013–1 ...
to a regular season contract, as well as waiving
Joel Bolomboy
Joel Bolomboy (russian: Джоэл Боломбой, Joel Bolomboy) (born January 28, 1994) is a Ukrainian-born Russian-American professional basketball player for Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague.
He played college baske ...
from the Bucks after previously promoting him to a regular season contract as well.
Fujian Sturgeons (2018)
On December 23, 2018, Munford was reported to have signed with
Fujian Sturgeons
Fujian SBS Xunxing Sturgeons (Simplified Chinese: 福建SBS浔兴鲟) or Fujian Xunxing or Fujian SBS are a Chinese professional men's basketball team in the Chinese Basketball Association, based in Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Fujian. The "SBS" reflects c ...
, 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
The Shanghai Sharks () are a Chinese Basketball Association team based in Shanghai.
It is best known outside China as the club that developed Yao Ming before he entered the National Basketball Association. With Yao on the team, the Sharks made t ...
, but was later reported to be replaced by
Eugene Jeter
Eugene "Pooh" Jeter III (; born December 2, 1983) is an American-born naturalized Ukrainian professional basketball player for the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League. A tall point guard, he is a naturalized player for the Ukraine national ...
after five days.
Return to Wisconsin Herd (2019)
On January 28, 2019, the Wisconsin Herd announced that they had signed Munford.
Delaware Blue Coats (2019–2020)
On October 26, 2019, Munford was named to the training camp roster of the
Delaware Blue Coats
The Delaware Blue Coats are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Wilmington, Delaware, and are affiliated with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Blue Coats play their home games at Chase Fieldhouse. The team was found ...
of the
NBA G League
The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is the National Basketball Association's (NBA) official minor league basketball organization. The league was known as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) from 2001 to 2005, and the NBA De ...
. Munford scored 34 points and had seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in a win against the
Erie BayHawks on January 25, 2020. On March 4, Munford posted 36 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 124–108 loss to the
Long Island Nets
The Long Island Nets are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Uniondale, New York, and are affiliated with the Brooklyn Nets. The team plays its home games at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Nassau Count ...
. During the 2019–20 season, Munford averaged 17.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.0 steal per game.
[
]
Bursaspor (2020–2021)
On August 2, 2020, Munford signed with Frutti Extra Bursaspor of the Turkish Super League
Turkish may refer to:
*a Turkic language spoken by the Turks
* of or about Turkey
** Turkish language
*** Turkish alphabet
** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation
*** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey
*** Turkish communities an ...
(BSL).
South East Melbourne Phoenix (2021–2022)
On September 1, 2021, Munford signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix
The South East Melbourne Phoenix are an Australian professional basketball team based in Melbourne, Victoria. The Phoenix entered the National Basketball League (NBL) in the 2019–20 season. The team play the majority of their home games at Jo ...
in Australia for the 2021–22 NBL season
The 2021–22 NBL season was the 44th season of the National Basketball League since its establishment in 1979. A total of ten teams are contesting in the 2021–22 season, which commenced on 3 December 2021.
Australian broadcast rights to the ...
.
Hapoel Tel Aviv (2022–present)
On July 18, 2022, Munford signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
National team career
Munford played with the senior United States national team at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup, where he won a gold medal.
NBA career statistics
Regular season
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Memphis
Memphis most commonly refers to:
* Memphis, Egypt, a former capital of ancient Egypt
* Memphis, Tennessee, a major American city
Memphis may also refer to:
Places United States
* Memphis, Alabama
* Memphis, Florida
* Memphis, Indiana
* Memp ...
, 14 , , 0 , , 17.4 , , .416 , , .391 , , .500 , , 2.2 , , 1.6 , , .9 , , .2 , , 5.7
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Milwaukee
Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee ...
, 6 , , 0 , , 3.5 , , .167 , , .000 , , .500 , , .2 , , .7 , , .2 , , .0 , , .5
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 20 , , 0 , , 13.3 , , .398 , , .360 , , .500 , , 1.6 , , 1.3 , , .7 , , .2 , , 4.2
Playoffs
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2016
File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the Impeachment of Dilma Rousseff, impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses duri ...
, style="text-align:left;", Memphis
Memphis most commonly refers to:
* Memphis, Egypt, a former capital of ancient Egypt
* Memphis, Tennessee, a major American city
Memphis may also refer to:
Places United States
* Memphis, Alabama
* Memphis, Florida
* Memphis, Indiana
* Memp ...
, 4 , , 0 , , 22.3 , , .321 , , .125 , , .000 , , 2.3 , , 2.5 , , 1.5 , , .8 , , 4.8
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 4 , , 0 , , 22.3 , , .321 , , .125 , , .000 , , 2.3 , , 2.5 , , 1.5 , , .8 , , 4.8
Career statistics
Domestic leagues
Personal life
Munford is the son of Zamora and Darren Munford, and has a younger brother, Elijah.
References
External links
NBA.com profile
NBA D-League profile
Rhode Island Rams bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Munford, Xavier
1992 births
Living people
American expatriate basketball people in Australia
American expatriate basketball people in China
American expatriate basketball people in Spain
American expatriate basketball people in Turkey
American men's basketball players
Bakersfield Jam players
Basketball players from New Jersey
Bursaspor Basketbol players
Delaware Blue Coats players
FC Barcelona Bàsquet players
Fujian Sturgeons players
Greensboro Swarm players
Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. players
Iowa Western Reivers men's basketball players
Liga ACB players
Memphis Grizzlies players
Miami Dade Sharks men's basketball players
Milwaukee Bucks players
People from Hillside, New Jersey
Point guards
Rhode Island Rams men's basketball players
St. Benedict's Preparatory School alumni
Sportspeople from Union County, New Jersey
South East Melbourne Phoenix players
Undrafted National Basketball Association players
United States men's national basketball team players
Wisconsin Herd players