Finally playing center, UCLA's Xavier Booker wants to be more than a 'X' factor

"Xavier Booker has been like a personable employee stocking shelves instead of interacting with customers. A skilled chef making food deliveries. A roofer inspecting a basement. He's been terribly miscast. At Michigan State, the 6-foot-11 forward spent way too much time lingering on the perimeter, hoisting three-pointers, when he should have been doing other traditional big-man things."

""You've got to be one of the best mobile big guys in pick-and-roll basketball and running the floor, protecting the rim, finishing above the rim," UCLA coach Mick Cronin said of young players with Booker's size. "You can make a three, and that's a great thing. But if that's who you are and you don't do all that other stuff, you saw where he was at Michigan State.""

""I thought it would be great for me, not only here, but just going along the line in my career," Booker said. "I mean, I'm 6-11, I've got long arms, I could spread the floor, catch lobs, block shots, do a lot of things on the court, so I fee"

Xavier Booker transferred from Michigan State to UCLA and shifted from power forward to center to play more traditional big-man roles. Booker struggled at Michigan State, averaging 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks across two seasons while spending excessive time on the perimeter and attempting three-pointers. UCLA coach Mick Cronin emphasized mobility in pick-and-roll, running the floor, rim protection and finishing above the rim as essential skills for a 6-foot-11 player. Booker accepted the opportunity to play under the basket, aiming to use his height and long arms to spread the floor, catch lobs and block shots.

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