There have been few guards who have stepped up from a Mid-Major to a Power Conference and had more success. Souley Boum is one of those players.
Don’t get me wrong, he’ll most likely go down as one of the most productive and exciting players to watch in the history of UTEP basketball. He not only averaged double-digit scoring in all four of his seasons in El Paso, he had star teammates like Bryson Williams to share the rock with.
This season with Xavier has been nothing short of special for Boum, and he is now leading Xavier its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018. There isn’t a thing the 6’3″ guard can’t do effectively on the floor, evident by his stat line and his most recent game against Villanova, a 89-80 victory for the Musketeers.
Not only did Boum drop 22 points, he collected 10 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, and stole the ball twice. He only took 8 shots, which is not only crazy efficient but a testament to his play style. He hit 10 free-throws and dominated every facet of the game. His game Saturday is just a microcosm of the All-American caliber season he’s been having.
Averaging 17.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assist per game has been just the tip of the iceberg for Boum. He’s the heart and soul of the Musketeers’ resurgence under Sean Miller. On a team with a ton of standouts, Boum stands out. He’s the engine that has made this team special this season.
The Xavier Musketeers are ranked No. 12 in the nation, and are currently at the top of the standings in the Big East. Boum is currently the second leading scorer in the conference and is also one of the top distributors as well. He’s played well enough to catch the eye of the NBA, as his draft stock has risen tremendously this season.
With the season halfway over, the future looks better than the past for not only Boum, but the Xavier Musketeers. The team is gaining momentum in a crucial time of the season.
