Different uniform, same story for Waukegan’s Xavi Granville.
After transferring from Grayslake Central over the summer, the 6-foot-2 senior guard’s productivity hasn’t changed since he joined the already talented Bulldogs.
“It was a little different with school at first, but on the team it’s been pretty seamless,” Granville said. “The guys and I have blended really well, and I’m just playing basketball as usual. Nobody is jealous of anyone else because as long as we win, everyone’s happy.”
Smiles have been in plentiful supply among the Bulldogs (16-5, 6-1), who quickly established themselves as one of the elite teams in Lake County this season and are leading the North Suburban Conference, and Granville is one of the main reasons. He’s averaging 19.1 points and 6.6 rebounds, both team highs.
Granville’s versatility fits perfectly in Waukegan’s system, which coach Ron Ashlaw likes to say is “positionless.”
“The system plays to my playing style really well,” Granville said. “A lot of the decisions get put in the players’ hands. There are certain principles we follow, and if you make decisions based on the principles, you can’t go wrong.”
Look no further than Waukegan’s 62-54 conference win at Lake Zurich on Friday, when Granville’s talents were put to use extensively in the post because the coaching staff identified a matchup he could exploit.
That’s not Granville’s preferred cup of tea, but he didn’t blink. Even though he didn’t score as much as he usually does, his presence down low opened up passing lanes to the perimeter and helped the offense flow smoothly.
“He’s the definition of a positionless guy,” Ashlaw said. “He’s a very polished player. His feet are really good, his instincts are really good, he can finish with both hands at the rim, he brings the ball up, he fills the lane and he’s one of our top defenders. He’s been everything we envisioned.”
Ashlaw didn’t leave out much. But Granville is also scoring with remarkable efficiency, shooting a team-high 61.1% from the field, and is averaging 1.6 steals.
This level of production comes after Granville’s breakout junior season, when he averaged 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals as Grayslake Central won a share of the Northern Lake County Conference title.
“I think I’ve really developed as a screener, and it makes it a ‘pick your poison’ for the defense,” he said. “My teammates have gotten good at catching me on the pop, and that can be easy points if you do it right.”
All the ways Granville affects a game are plain for teammates to see, but he has also made an impact with his effort.
“He just has this endless amount of energy,” Waukegan junior point guard Carter Newsome said. “He’s never walking, and he’s always active. A lot of what he does in games is due to how aggressive he is. That rubs off on other guys, and he’s become one of our leaders, leading by example.”
Granville occasionally backflips to the next practice drill after a particularly good rep. Not surprising, he smiles a lot.
“He’s serious, and he’s serious about our team doing well, but he can’t help but smile,” Ashlaw said. “I’ve seen him compete, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him upset or in a surly mood.”
Ashlaw sees that sunny disposition every day when he takes attendance in a U.S. government class. The photo that pops up on Ashlaw’s screen shows Granville as a wide-smiling fifth grader. The photo was taken when Granville last attended a school in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60.
“I feel like it’s necessary to make the most out of any situation,” Granville said. “If you’re stressed out after every mistake, that’s no fun, and having fun is part of winning.”
Granville’s fun on the court will likely continue in college. But the task at hand is helping drive the Bulldogs on a long playoff run. They last played in a sectional championship game in 2019.
The home stretch begins with a marquee conference game against Warren at home on Tuesday. Waukegan won the first meeting 72-62 in Gurnee on Dec. 4.
“Our top goal is to get downstate, and everyone knows it,” Granville said. “That’s why we go so hard in practice. We want to go out there every game and play for each other.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
