Team City of Gods got a big boost for The Basketball Tournament's Super 16, as Xavier Silas joined up with the squad following his successful NBA Summer League stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Silas scored 10.9 points per game in Summer League play and continued that trend at Philadelphia University over the weekend, scoring 39 combined points over City of Gods' two wins.
Silas, after a brief stint with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012, is ready for his next NBA shot. With accumulating NBA D-League and overseas experience, the 6-foot-5 guard has his eyes set on one goal and nothing will get in his way. He spoke with VAVEL USA for a few minutes about where his career is headed and the value of playing in TBT.
The interview
Zach Drapkin (ZD): You played really well in Summer League with the Timberwolves. How does that carry over to TBT and what does it bring you in terms of exposure and getting your name out there?
Xavier Silas (XS): It’s really not about the exposure at this point, it’s just about winning in this tournament and trying to get that check at the end of the day. That’s what we’ve wanted to do this entire time and now that we have the opportunity, I think, more than ever, that we’re just trying to win.
"I have one goal and I have a plan made. I don’t have a plan B."
ZD: Will getting that check affect where you’ll be next season?
XS: No, I don’t think so. I have one goal and I have a plan made. I don’t have a plan B. So what happens here doesn’t affect anything with my life.
ZD: And that plan A is going to the NBA?
XS: Absolutely.
ZD: Have you gotten any offers yet from NBA teams?
XS: Summer League just ended, it hasn’t even been a week. My agent’s going to work on that. I made a pact with my agent that I let him work while he let me work out in Vegas, so I’m not really into those conversations, I’m just here for the end of it.
ZD: Were there any teams you think were specifically interested in you? Obviously, you played with the Timberwolves, but do you think you sparked anyone’s interest?
XS: It’s just the best situation for both parties. It’s always just the best situation for both parties. You can’t go into it saying “Oh, I’m going to play for this team.” It doesn’t work like that.
ZD: Outside of the NBA, let’s say you don’t get signed, how do you weigh going overseas as opposed to going to the D-League?
XS: In the D-League, you’re going to be available and overseas you’re going to make more money. So it depends on what is important to you.
ZD: At the Summer League, you get to see a lot of people who got drafted high after going one-and-done in college. You went a full four years, so what are your thoughts on one-and-dones and how they affect the game? Do you have any regrets about not leaving early yourself?
XS: Not really, I haven’t put much thought into that. I’m not sure.
ZD: How does it feel being back in Philadelphia after playing with the 76ers back in 2012?
XS: It feels good. Walking through the airport, there’s a little nostalgia. Philly will always be a special place for me and it feels good to play here. I like playing in Philly.
"I’m just like a sponge trying to learn as much as I can from these guys."
ZD: Playing on the same team as very experienced veterans like Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Mike Sweetney, how does that help you? Are they mentors for you?
XS: Absolutely. Any time you’re around guys who have accomplished the things that these guys have accomplished. And it’s not just those two guys, it’s everybody. Everybody has a long track record of playing basketball, big contracts. So I’m just like a sponge, I’m one of the younger guys, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from these guys.