Xavier Silas

Xavier Silas
Xavier Silas
Born	January 22, 1988 (age 38); Austin, Texas, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Basketball coach, former professional basketball player
Years active	2011–present
Known for	Head coach for Mets de Guaynabo; former NBA player

Xavier James Silas (born January 22, 1988) is a former American professional basketball athlete who currently serves as the head coach for the Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rico's premier basketball competition, the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). His collegiate basketball career includes playing for both the University of Colorado and Northern Illinois University.

High school and college career

Raised in Austin, Texas, Silas attended Stephen F. Austin High School before completing a postgraduate year at Brewster Academy located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. During the 2005–06 season there, he posted averages of 12.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Silas began his college career with the Colorado Buffaloes, spending two seasons before transferring to Northern Illinois in 2008. Due to NCAA transfer regulations, he was required to sit out the 2008–09 season. In his senior year (2010–11), he led the Mid-American Conference by averaging 22.3 points per contest and secured First-team All-MAC recognition while also contributing 4.6 rebounds per game.

2011–12 season

After going undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft, Silas signed a one-year contract with BCM Gravelines of France’s LNB Pro A on September 16, 2011. However, he departed from the team in early December 2011 and returned stateside.

On December 9, 2011, Silas inked a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, but was released on December 20. Shortly after, he joined the Maine Red Claws. Later that season, on April 24, 2012, Silas re-signed with the 76ers for the remainder of the campaign.

2012–13 season

In July 2012, Silas participated in the NBA Summer League representing the Philadelphia 76ers but suffered a concussion and sinus fractures due to an inadvertent elbow from a teammate, necessitating surgical intervention.

He rejoined the 76ers on September 27, 2012, only to be waived by October 10. On November 1, he returned to play for the Maine Red Claws. On February 18, 2013, Silas was deactivated by the Red Claws and remained sidelined for the rest of that season.

2013–14 season

Silas took part in the 2013 NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks during July 2013. He signed with the Washington Wizards on September 27 but was waived less than a month later on October 24. Subsequently, on November 4, his rights were traded from the Maine Red Claws to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

On November 17, 2013, Silas secured a contract with Israeli squad Maccabi Ashdod for the remainder of that season but parted ways after nine games in January 2014. He then joined Argentine side Quimsa on February 11, 2014, for the rest of their campaign.

2014–15 season

Silas re-signed with the Washington Wizards on September 29, 2014; however, he was waived on October 25. In January of that season, he signed with Greek club Nea Kifissia to complete the year.

2015–16 season

On August 25, 2015, Silas agreed to terms with Germany’s Telekom Baskets Bonn for the upcoming season. After participating in five league games and four Eurocup matches, he and Telekom Bonn parted ways on November 12.

A week later, on November 19, Silas joined Argentine team San Lorenzo de Almagro competing in the Liga Nacional de Básquet. Over seven games, he averaged 12.4 points and grabbed 3.7 rebounds before leaving on December 23.

On January 14, 2016, Silas signed with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. He made his debut that evening by scoring six points in nineteen minutes during a narrow 105–100 defeat against the Austin Spurs.

2016–17 season

Following an absence spanning seven games, Silas made his first appearance for the Northern Arizona Suns (previously known as the Bakersfield Jam) on December 3, 2016, facing off against the Reno Bighorns.

On April 6, 2017, Silas agreed to join Hunan Yongsheng competing in China’s NBL for that year’s campaign; nevertheless, he ultimately did not become part of the roster.

2017–18 season

After participating in the BIG3 competition, Silas rejoined the Northern Arizona Suns on October 24, 2017. Later, on March 27, 2018, shortly after the conclusion of the NBA G League season, the Boston Celtics signed him to a 10-day contract utilizing a league hardship exception. The Celtics opted not to extend his contract once it ended.

2018–19 season

Silas inked a training camp deal with the Denver Nuggets but was released on October 13, 2018. Subsequently, he secured a spot on the opening night roster of the Iowa Wolves for that G League season.

BIG3

In the inaugural draft of the BIG3, Silas was selected fourth overall by Tri State on April 30, 2017. After participating in three games, he was traded to the Ball Hogs on July 13, 2017, in exchange for Dominic McGuire.

Coaching career

During the 2019–20 season, Silas took on an assistant coaching role with the NBA G League's Delaware Blue Coats. Ahead of the 2021–22 campaign, he was appointed assistant coach for the Motor City Cruise. For the 2024–25 season, Silas holds the position of Associate Head Coach at Virginia Military Institute.

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 2 || 0 || 19.4 || .267 || .167 || .667 || 2.0 || 1.5 || .0 || .0 || 5.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Boston | 2 || 0 || 3.7 || .000 || .000 || – || 1.0 || .0 || .5 || .0 || .0 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:left;"| Career | style="text-align:left;"| | 4 || 0 || 11.5 || .222 || .125 || .667 || 1.5 || .8 || .3 || .0 || 2.8

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2012 | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 2 || 0 || 2.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0

Personal life

Silas is one of eight siblings—six brothers and one sister—and is the son of James and Vanessa Silas. His father earned two All-American honors at Stephen F. Austin and appeared in 328 contests over four seasons within the American Basketball Association (ABA), averaging per game: 18.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds. Following the ABA–NBA merger, he competed six seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, maintaining an average of 14.2 points per game.

External links