Photo by: Garrett Becker
Xavier Bishop Bides Time While Aiding in Program Development
2/19/2020 4:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The senior guard from Springfield, Illinois, should play a big role for the Bobcats during the 2020-21 season. Until then, he continues to improve on and off the court.
The 1,000-point scorer commands the offense. He's instructing his Montana State teammates on where to go as he's looked upon for guidance thanks to his status as a senior on the roster. He's played in and experienced plenty of big moments during his college career, which includes already having hit a game-winning shot.
He's also guarding all-conference point guard Harald Frey in practice every day in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
Xavier Bishop is making the most of the 2019-20 season, one in which he's spending as a redshirt on the Bobcat roster. After three years primarily starting at Kansas City (UMKC), Bishop is taking this year in stride despite having to spend game days on the sideline.
"The year has been really good for me," Bishop said. "I think I really needed this year just talking to coach (Danny) Sprinkle before I transferred. It was about me getting my body right, getting in the weight room, and making improvements not only there, but on the court and on my diet and stuff like that. Just improving my body so I can become a better basketball player was really important."
For Bishop, this season is an entirely new experience.
Bishop was a standout at Lanphier High School in Springfield, Ill., for four seasons. He ended his prep career with 2,284 points, the most in school history.
He translated that success immediately to the college level.
Playing for Kansas City, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, Bishop was a mainstay in the Kanagroos' lineup. He played in all 35 of Kansas City's contests as a freshman before finding his way into a starting role as a sophomore. That season, a majority of his per game averages doubled including his points per game (11.6).
Bishop broke out in his junior campaign. His points per game improved to 15.4 over the course of 31 contests which he started in each. He broke the 1,000-point barrier by shooting 42.7% from the field. He also is nearly up to 300 assists in his college career with 295.
A coaching change at UMKC led to a new start for Bishop in unfamiliar territory with one season remaining at the Division I level. Bishop said that what he eventually found himself in was a great situation.
"Coach Sprink and the staff were willing to take a chance on me and that's all I needed," Bishop said. "That's all I wanted was an opportunity and they believed in me and wanted me here. I felt comfortable with them when I came on my visit. I'm just happy to be here and be a Bobcat."
During the 2019-20 season, a Montana State men's basketball practice would tend to see Bishop lining up opposite of Frey. Bishop's role this season is one best described by the Bobcats' youngest players.
"Unc?"
Bishop serves as the de facto leader of Montana State's scout team. Alongside his underclassmen teammates, he's viewed as the "uncle" among his "nephews." He has helped raise their level of play as they gain more experience at the college level.
Sprinkle has seen Bishop's improvement over the course of the year. Even as Bishop recognized himself has grown frustrated at times unable to do anything beyond practice, his play has developed. Despite logging hours with a red jersey on to mimic defenders and the opposition, Sprinkle said he's definitely noticed Bishop's play.
"I've seen a huge difference in him even since just Christmas," Sprinkle said. "It seems like even at practice, he's been going at a complete different gear. It's tough sometimes, even when we're doing scout team, we can't stop him. I can't wait until he can get on the court and play in a game with us."
One of his biggest jobs this season in practice has been going toe-to-toe with Frey. Despite not getting to play in the same backcourt, Bishop said Frey was one of the first people he met on campus and the two clicked instantly. Roommates off the court, Bishop said he's gained a lot from MSU's four-year starter at point guard.
"We have our days when we go at it," Bishop said. "We can get mad at each other, but we're tight and best friends right after practice. Going against him is tough every day. I realized that early I've got to bring it every day dealing with Harry. But I've learned a lot from him, he's learned a lot from me."
Bishop's main focus this year has been getting his body ready for the punishment of an entire schedule next season. He's also been able to spend a season staying on top of academics as well. Sprinkle said that he expect big things from Bishop when he's eligible for the Bobcats during the 2020-21 season.
The MSU redshirt senior is going through monotony of practices knowing getting into a game is down the line. He's battling through fatigue and soreness from weight room sessions, enjoying the process that will prepare for him for what's to come.
He understands what he's able to do to help Montana state now can help develop team chemistry when he's guiding the MSU huddle.
"I know that's my job this year, making sure I'm leading the scout team and giving the main guys a look before the games," Bishop said. "But, also I'm approaching it as working on my game, do things I'm not necessarily comfortable doing. (Sprinkle) lets me run the scout team, but also running our opponents plays. Getting a year to gain that trust is good for us for next year."
He's also guarding all-conference point guard Harald Frey in practice every day in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
Xavier Bishop is making the most of the 2019-20 season, one in which he's spending as a redshirt on the Bobcat roster. After three years primarily starting at Kansas City (UMKC), Bishop is taking this year in stride despite having to spend game days on the sideline.
"The year has been really good for me," Bishop said. "I think I really needed this year just talking to coach (Danny) Sprinkle before I transferred. It was about me getting my body right, getting in the weight room, and making improvements not only there, but on the court and on my diet and stuff like that. Just improving my body so I can become a better basketball player was really important."
For Bishop, this season is an entirely new experience.
Bishop was a standout at Lanphier High School in Springfield, Ill., for four seasons. He ended his prep career with 2,284 points, the most in school history.
He translated that success immediately to the college level.
Playing for Kansas City, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, Bishop was a mainstay in the Kanagroos' lineup. He played in all 35 of Kansas City's contests as a freshman before finding his way into a starting role as a sophomore. That season, a majority of his per game averages doubled including his points per game (11.6).
Bishop broke out in his junior campaign. His points per game improved to 15.4 over the course of 31 contests which he started in each. He broke the 1,000-point barrier by shooting 42.7% from the field. He also is nearly up to 300 assists in his college career with 295.
A coaching change at UMKC led to a new start for Bishop in unfamiliar territory with one season remaining at the Division I level. Bishop said that what he eventually found himself in was a great situation.
"Coach Sprink and the staff were willing to take a chance on me and that's all I needed," Bishop said. "That's all I wanted was an opportunity and they believed in me and wanted me here. I felt comfortable with them when I came on my visit. I'm just happy to be here and be a Bobcat."
During the 2019-20 season, a Montana State men's basketball practice would tend to see Bishop lining up opposite of Frey. Bishop's role this season is one best described by the Bobcats' youngest players.
"Unc?"
Bishop serves as the de facto leader of Montana State's scout team. Alongside his underclassmen teammates, he's viewed as the "uncle" among his "nephews." He has helped raise their level of play as they gain more experience at the college level.
Sprinkle has seen Bishop's improvement over the course of the year. Even as Bishop recognized himself has grown frustrated at times unable to do anything beyond practice, his play has developed. Despite logging hours with a red jersey on to mimic defenders and the opposition, Sprinkle said he's definitely noticed Bishop's play.
"I've seen a huge difference in him even since just Christmas," Sprinkle said. "It seems like even at practice, he's been going at a complete different gear. It's tough sometimes, even when we're doing scout team, we can't stop him. I can't wait until he can get on the court and play in a game with us."
One of his biggest jobs this season in practice has been going toe-to-toe with Frey. Despite not getting to play in the same backcourt, Bishop said Frey was one of the first people he met on campus and the two clicked instantly. Roommates off the court, Bishop said he's gained a lot from MSU's four-year starter at point guard.
"We have our days when we go at it," Bishop said. "We can get mad at each other, but we're tight and best friends right after practice. Going against him is tough every day. I realized that early I've got to bring it every day dealing with Harry. But I've learned a lot from him, he's learned a lot from me."
Bishop's main focus this year has been getting his body ready for the punishment of an entire schedule next season. He's also been able to spend a season staying on top of academics as well. Sprinkle said that he expect big things from Bishop when he's eligible for the Bobcats during the 2020-21 season.
The MSU redshirt senior is going through monotony of practices knowing getting into a game is down the line. He's battling through fatigue and soreness from weight room sessions, enjoying the process that will prepare for him for what's to come.
He understands what he's able to do to help Montana state now can help develop team chemistry when he's guiding the MSU huddle.
"I know that's my job this year, making sure I'm leading the scout team and giving the main guys a look before the games," Bishop said. "But, also I'm approaching it as working on my game, do things I'm not necessarily comfortable doing. (Sprinkle) lets me run the scout team, but also running our opponents plays. Getting a year to gain that trust is good for us for next year."
Players Mentioned
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