Xavier basketball: 2022 four-star recruit Desmond Claude picks the Musketeers

Desmond Claude, one of the nation's top point guard recruits in the 2022 class, committed to Xavier's men's basketball team on Thursday, solidifying another nationally ranked incoming recruiting class.

"I think it was the best basketball situation for me," Claude, who said he picked the Musketeers over Kansas and Louisville, told The Enquirer over the phone. "For one, they win and they got good other freshmen coming in. They have experienced bigs.

"I feel really comfortable and trust that they will allow me to keep developing as a point guard."

Claude, out of New Haven, Connecticut, is a four-star prospect who's ranked No. 88 nationally in the 2022 class and the No. 13 point guard in the country, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

The Musketeers have already signed two 2022 recruits in Tyrell Ward, a 6-foot-7 small forward who's ranked No. 44 nationally, and Kam Craft, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who's ranked No. 59 nationally.

With the addition of Claude, a 6-foot-5 point guard, Xavier's landed its top priority targets at all three positions, giving the Musketeers a stacked three-man class in 2022.

Claude said his mom played college basketball at Syracuse and his dad played at Fairfield, then professionally overseas.

Claude described his game as someone who can facilitate for others, make them better, as well as find his own opportunities.

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"I feel like I have decent leadership, that's one thing I have to improve," said Claude, who added that he'll bring good ball-handling skills, good 3-point shooting, a good mid-range game and he makes good decisions.

Claude first appeared on Xavier's radar over the summer at the NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) tournament.

Claude said Xavier head coach Travis Steele and his staff were there. Steele saw him play and called him afterward to offer a scholarship.

Claude wasn't too familiar with Xavier initially. He'd see them play against other Big East teams, "but when they reached out I had to do research on them and the more research I did the more I liked them," he said.

Claude, who took a visit to Xavier before the season started, said Xavier's entire coaching staff built a solid relationship with him.

Before Claude's commitment, Xavier had the No. 30 recruiting class in the country in 2022, according to 247Sports, and that should improve even more when Claude's factored in.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier adds top-100, four-star prospect Desmond Claude to 2022 class