Scouting Princeton Guard Xaivian Lee

[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2025 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Xaivian Lee
Frame: 6’4″, 180 lbs
Position: Guard
School: Princeton
2025 Draft Age: 21
Stats via espn.com

Offense

Lee is a high-energy lead guard who can get downhill in the blink of an eye and create for himself and his teammates. He is at his best in transition, where the game seems slower for him than for his opponents. His speed and ability to create when downhill make him draw defenders’ attention, allowing him to create for his trailing teammates.

Lee is an impressive finisher. He can use both hands and his quickness to help manoeuvre through the defense. His ballhandling is some of the best in this draft class, and while he can consistently get to the rim, he also uses these skills to create for others.

The Princeton guard is one of the best playmakers in the Ivy League, finishing the season ranked second in the conference in assists per game at 5.5. He excels in the pick-and-roll as his quick decision-making allows him to make last-second plays for himself and others, depending on what the defense gives them. This ability lets him play the game as it comes, instead of planning too far ahead and trying to force the ball, a huge mental asset as he transitions to the fast pace of the NBA.

Although Lee scored second among the Ivy League and shot a career-best 36.6 percent from beyond the arc, he still lacks consistency. While at times this is not a massive cause for concern at the collegiate level for a guard with a high usage, his shooting form displays a few red flags. It has a hitch, it consistently has a flat arc, and he uses a lot of arm rather than legs. The latter makes it difficult for him to take off-balance shots, and for someone who plays primarily with the ball, this limits his scoring ability.

When he does not have the ball, Lee is a high-IQ cutter. He is never standing still. Whether cutting through the lane or moving around the perimeter to give the ballhandler options, he is never stagnant, which naturally keeps the opposition’s defense moving.

With back-to-back All-Ivy First Team appearances as a sophomore and junior, Lee has proven that he is beyond the skill level of college and that the next step is professional. His quickness and skills with the ball give him a ceiling similar to that of Ish Smith; however, if his development stalls, he may have a difficult time maintaining NBA status.

Defense

Lee is committed to the defensive end of the ball. While he is not someone you would necessarily want on an elite scoring guard, he gives his all and has a high IQ. His quick decision-making also applies to this end when it comes to rapid rotations and switches. He does not overthink. He makes decisions and sticks with them, and his IQ and strong basketball instincts typically lead him in the right direction.

What he lacks defensively is effective physicality. He is not very strong, which causes him to struggle against anyone who can use their body to create space. Going against guards such as Jalen Brunson, Jamal Murray, or even Fred VanVleet will cause him to struggle.

Lee is good at getting steals in various ways. His quick hands allow him to poke the ball free once he finds a hole, and his aggressiveness and lack of quit give him all the more chances of getting the steal. His acceleration allows him to jump passing lanes and get out into transition.

His biggest defensive struggles are in the paint. If he tries to stop the attacker, it is either ineffective or a foul. His lack of strength and size leads to difficulties here, which will continue unless he can put on a lot of muscle.

Looking Ahead

Lee’s game still needs to grow in critical areas, and there is still a lot of time to do so, as he will only be 21 years old when he enters the NBA. His instincts and ball handling are beyond NBA-ready; however, his jump shot and strength will develop more before he is prepared for consistent rotation minutes.