Just over three years ago, one of the best basketball players to ever come out of Lake Forest High School announced his commitment to Dartmouth in an effort to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level. Now, roughly two years later, Evan Boudreaux, who exceeded expectations not just at Dartmouth, but in the Ivy league overall, reopened his recruiting in search of attending a traditional basketball power. The 6’ 8″ junior received offers from both Purdue and Colorado, but decided that neither school was the right fit for him and his family. Monday afternoon he announced his commitment on Twitter to Xavier University. The Musketeers, who are currently ranked 10th in the nation, made an Elite 8 run last year and are receiving increasingly more attention as they climb up the college basketball rankings, past perennial stalwarts such as Kansas, Gonzaga and Notre Dame. The Forest Scout had the opportunity to talk with Boudreaux about his commitment, his goals, and how Scouts basketball helped him prepare for his next step at the collegiate level.

What was the biggest factor that made you choose Xavier over Purdue and Colorado?

“I felt really comfortable with the coaching staff, and their track record of success is really high, which was a big factor for me. I think I fit really well with what the program is losing due to graduation and with the returning guys.”

Dartmouth and Xavier are two very different teams. What adjustments on the court do you believe you will need to make to compete with the rest of the teams in the Big East?

“I think I’ve always been able to play at a level like the Big East, but coming into Xavier it’s going to be really important to get stronger and quicker over the next few months to adjust to the athleticism in the conference. I think the weight room will be really important for me.”

Plenty of Scouts have gone on to play college basketball, but as of late, none have played for a national power like that of Xavier. How has playing for Lake Forest–if at all–helped you prepare for taking the next step in your basketball career?

“It helped me a lot. Playing for the Scouts helped me really expand my game and become a versatile player, something that has become a big part of the way I play. I formed a lot of my habits during practice and games at Lake Forest High School that stay with me today.”

When you leave Xavier a few years from now, what type of legacy will you want to leave on their program?

“I want to have gone to the NCAA tournament and have been really successful there. My main goal is to win games and be a factor in March.”

What are you looking forward to most next year as a Musketeer?

“I am looking forward to joining a winning culture and being a part of Xavier basketball. “

In his two years as a Dartmouth Big Green star, Boudreaux proved to be lethal all over the court. He shot an average 36.6% from beyond the arc, scored around 17 points per game, and was a monster on the glass with close to ten rebounds per game. All things considered, this was a great decision by Evan Boudreaux. He wanted to play for a team at the highest level of college basketball, and a  track record of success that would help give him exposure playing for a team with the potential to be lethal in March. The Xavier Musketeers are a team on the rise. Now–especially with the addition of Boudreaux next season–don’t expect the Musketeers to fall off the map anytime soon. The legendary Lake Forest Scout will take the court at Cintas Center next year as he aims to help Xavier University make a long awaited Final Four appearance.