Xavier Silas - Virginia Military Institute Men's Basketball Associate Head Coach

Xavier Silas is the Men’s Basketball Associate Head Coach and is in his 4th season at Virginia Military Institute. He has twice been named to the Silver Waves Media Mid Major Coaches watch list as a name to watch as a future head coach at the Division I level. Silas came to VMI after being an analyst for the University of Missouri men’s basketball program.

During the 2022-23 season, Silas served as head coach of the Guaynabo Mets of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), the highest professional basketball league in Puerto Rico.

Prior to coaching in Puerto Rico, he worked for both the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76’ers in a similar role as both the director of player development and offensive coordinator for each franchise’s G-League affiliate.

As a professional basketball player, Silas had playing stints with the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers. As a member of the NBA G-League, he played for the Iowa Wolves, Northern Arizona Suns, Bakersfield Jam and the Maine Red Claws. Silas also played for various professional teams in Argentina, Germany, Greece, Israel and France throughout his playing career.

After beginning his collegiate career at the University of Colorado at Boulder (2006-08), he transferred to Northern Illinois (2009-11) where he earned First Team All-MAC honors and First Team NABC All-District 14 accolades.

On this episode Mike & Xavier discuss Xavier’s journey from growing up around the San Antonio Spurs to becoming associate head coach at VMI. He shares how embracing a role, setting aside ego, and becoming exceptional at a specific skill helped him on his professional basketball career as a player. Silas explains how he teaches shot efficiency with a simple “dollar” analogy and uses film, relationships, and high standards to help players improve. He also reflects on building Colorado Prep, recruiting for fit at VMI, and creating a coaching staff where assistants are trusted to lead and challenge ideas. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes daily work, shared purpose, and helping players reach their potential.

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Grab your journal and a pen before you listen to this episode with Xavier Silas, Men’s Basketball Associate Head Coach at Virginia Military Institute.

Website - vmikeydets.com/sports/mens-basketball
Email - silasx@vmi.edu
Twitter/X - @xaviersilas

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