Xavier Talton

Position:
Guard
Height:
6-2
Weight:
185
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Sterling, Colo.
High School:
Sterling HS

Career: Played in 135 games, the second most in a Colorado uniform, falling just one shy of Austin Dufault's school-record 136 played from 2008-12. He averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 rebounds during his career, shooting 35.7 percent from the 3-point line (82-of-230). His 189 assists ties for 27th on CU's all-time leaderboard. One of three four-year seniors in his class (2012-16) - joining Josh Scott and Eli Stalzer - to participate in 82 wins, the third most in team history.

2015-16 (Senior) - Averaged 4.8 points while ranking third on the team in assists (65) and steals (25). He played in all 34 games, starting in 10 of the final 11 contests. Shot 91.1 percent from the free throw line (41-of-45) and had two different streaks of 10-plus free throws made, including his first 14 attempts of the season, as Colorado led the Pac-12 in free throw percentage (.734). Shot 36 percent from 3-point range (23-of-64), heating up during Pac-12 play. He made 12-of-24 from 3-point range during the last eight regular season conference games (.500) after making just 3-of-11 in his first 10. Led Colorado in steals seven times and four times in assists. Had three double-figure scoring games, twice hitting 13 points; first against Oregon (1/17) and then against Washington State (2/11). Played a career-high 44 minutes in CU's double-overtime win against the Cougars. He matched a personal-best by hitting four 3-point field goals at UCLA (2/20). Earned the team's Most Inspirational Player Award as voted on by his teammates.

2014-15 (Junior) - Played in all 34 games with 15 starts. Averaged 4.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Scored in double digits three times with a season-high 12 points against Oregon (3/12) at the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas. Pair of 10-point games in road win at Washington (3/5) and home victory versus Washington State (1/24). Also had career-high six assists against the Cougars. Played career high 42 minutes in three overtime win at USC 1/29). Had 13 games with two or more assists. Career-high three steals in home win against Air Force (11/25).

2013-14 (Sophomore) - Played in all 35 games; started last 13 games of the season. Averaged 4.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game. 13 starts: 6.6 ppg., 3.2 rpg., 1.5 apg. on 28-of-67 shooting (41.8 percent); 17 of his made 28 field goals were 3-pointers. Averaged a season-high 20.7 minutes (7.3 mpg. previous season), in addition to making 28 3-pointers, 22 more than his initial season. Scored a career-best 14 points, twice in a home win against Utah (2/1) and road victory versus USC (2/16). Made a career-high four treys against the Utes and grabbed a personal-high seven rebounds at USC. Career-best five assists in home triumph against Arizona State (2/19). Led the Buffs in assists four times, steals five times and in blocks three times. Handed out two or more assists in 13 games. Had four games with four or more assists (3-1 record in those games).

2012-13 (Freshman) - Played in 32 of 33 games, averaging 1.5 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 7.3 minutes per game. Season-best seven points at Wyoming (12/1) on 3-of-3 shooting. Recorded six points and two steals in home win versus No. 9/9 Arizona (2/14) and grabbed a season-high four rebounds against the Wildcats (3/14) at the Pac-12 Tournament. Led team with a personal-best three assists at Kansas (12/8). Helped the Buffaloes to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, a school-first in back-to-back years since 1961-62 & 1962-63 (50 years).

High School: Averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 4.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game as a senior at Sterling High School. Helped Sterling to a 22-2 record as a senior and a 14-0 mark in conference play, winning the Tri-Valley League championship. Helped the Tigers advance to the 4A state playoffs (Sweet 16, third round). Named All-4A first-team all-state junior and senior years. Tri-Valley League Player of the Year. First-team all-Tri Valley League. Participated in “The Show” an all-star game that featured 20 of the best boys basketball players in the state (all classifications) at the Pepsi Center (April 2012); also participated during his junior year. 4A Colorado Player of the Year and Tri-Valley Conference Player of the Year during his junior year. Led Sterling to 27 wins and a state championship as a junior. In the title game, scored 22 points leading the Tigers to the Class 4A state championship at the Coors Events Center. Averaged 21.3 points during Sterling’s final three playoff games. Three-star rating by Rivals.com. Also lettered in football and track.

Academics: Scheduled to graduate in May 2016 with his degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources.

Personal: Born August 3, 1994. Son of John Talton Jr. and Dena Salazar. Father played basketball at Virginia Union. Is one of four children. Older brother Ezekiel; younger brother, Zachariah; sister, Cadence. School record holder in points, assists, steals, games played and games won. Says winning the state championship his junior year was biggest moment of prep career. Selected CU because “felt it was the right place for me and close to home”. Wore jersey number 3 at CU, the same number he wore in high school.