Former Oskaloosa standout Xavier Foster commits to SMU
May 2—OSKALOOSA — After a recent visit to Dallas over the weekend, former Oskaloosa star basketball player Xavier Foster announced via his Instagram on Sunday that he is committing to Southern Methodist University.
Foster was an all-state center during his time at Oskaloosa. He would help the Indians to a 3A state title as junior before averaging 23.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.7 blocks per game as senior before committing to Iowa State.
The 7-foot center played in seven games as a freshman with the Cyclones in the 2020-21 season averaging 4.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game before battling injuries and eventually redshirting the rest of the season.
Foster was removed by Iowa State prior to the 2021-22 season after it became public the former four-star recruit was a subject of a sexual assault investigation in Ames. Police have since said he is no longer a suspect and that they will not pursue charges. After the dismissal, Iowa State head coach T. J. Otzelberger said more the one factor contributed to the decision he called "necessary as we continue to build our culture."
After police confirmed he was no longer a suspect, Foster told Des Moines media at a news conference in February he was focused on rebuilding his reputation. He said he "would have been released either way," admitting he had been late to practice and tutoring session while recovering from foot surgery.
Foster joins the Mustangs with four years of eligibility left. He will play for new head coach Rob Lanier, who was hired by SMU in March after three seasons at Georgia State. Both will join an SMU squad that went 24-9 this year and earned a bid to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
Colin Peters can be reached at 641-672-2581, by email at cpeters@oskyherald.com or on Twitter @ColinPetersOH.
