Breaking News: Five-Star Shooting Guard Shocks Phoenix Suns With Decommit and Flips Commitment To Louisville Basketball Over Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers
In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, five-star shooting guard prospect, Xavier Thompson, has decommitted from the Phoenix Suns and switched his commitment to the Louisville Cardinals. The highly-coveted player, regarded as one of the top recruits in the 2024 class, had initially committed to the Phoenix Suns earlier this year but has now chosen to take his talents to Louisville, leaving both the Suns and the NBA teams vying for his services—namely the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers—stunned by the sudden change of heart.
The decision, which has sent ripples throughout the basketball community, came after weeks of speculation and growing uncertainty surrounding Thompson’s future. For months, Thompson had been rumored to be wavering in his commitment to the Suns, with whispers about his interest in other programs growing louder. The Suns, who had been seen as the favorites to land the shooting guard, are now left to pick up the pieces after a huge recruiting loss.
Thompson’s decommitment from the Suns is nothing short of a shock. Initially, the Suns were seen as a perfect fit for the talented shooter, who is known for his elite scoring ability, versatility, and high basketball IQ. Phoenix, which is building a future around young talent and hoping to compete for championships in the coming years, was expected to be an ideal landing spot for Thompson. The Suns’ established roster, featuring superstars like Devin Booker, and the promising development of Deandre Ayton and others, seemed like a dream situation for the shooting guard, whose game projects well to the NBA.
However, just days ago, rumors began swirling that Thompson was having second thoughts about his commitment. A source close to Thompson revealed that there were growing concerns about the Suns’ plans for his development and how he would fit into their long-term vision. While Phoenix offered the allure of playing alongside established NBA stars, Thompson felt that his best path forward might not involve joining the Suns at this juncture of their franchise rebuild.
“Xavier has always been a player with a high basketball IQ,” said his high school coach, Marcus Johnson. “He’s always made decisions with the long term in mind, and it became clear to him that Louisville could offer him the environment he needed to develop and grow in a way that Phoenix might not. This was a decision based on his future—not just his immediate success.”
Thompson’s decision to flip his commitment has set off a wave of reactions from around the league. Phoenix Suns management, while initially blindsided by the news, is now working diligently to re-evaluate their recruiting strategy, especially as they look to ensure they remain competitive in an increasingly competitive Western Conference.
While Louisville’s basketball program has seen ups and downs in recent years, the coaching staff led by head coach Kenny Payne has clearly done an excellent job selling Thompson on the program’s potential and the development opportunities it can offer. The Cardinals have long been a powerhouse in college basketball, with a storied history of success, and Thompson’s decision to decommit from Phoenix and choose Louisville speaks volumes about the program’s resurgence under Payne.
Thompson’s decision to commit to Louisville over the NBA programs was particularly surprising to many who expected him to choose between one of the NBA’s premier teams—the Boston Celtics or the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both franchises had been courting Thompson heavily, recognizing his potential to elevate their rosters immediately.
The Celtics, currently one of the NBA’s most successful teams, were in the running to land Thompson, viewing him as a potential cornerstone of their future alongside players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Boston’s attractive mix of championship aspirations and young talent made it a highly appealing destination for Thompson. However, despite the Celtics’ strong case, the five-star recruit ultimately decided that his best option was to further his development in a more traditional college basketball environment before making the jump to the pros.
On the other hand, the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team in the midst of a rebuilding phase with young stars like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, were another NBA franchise eager to add Thompson’s scoring ability to their roster. Cleveland had made an aggressive push to secure his services, hoping that Thompson could help lead them to playoff contention in the near future. However, Thompson’s commitment to Louisville signals that he believes further honing his skills in college will better prepare him for the challenges of the NBA, rather than immediately entering the league with one of these teams.
Thompson is regarded as one of the most dynamic and versatile shooting guards to come out of the high school ranks in years. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ makes him a highly sought-after prospect. At 6’6″, Thompson can shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor, drive to the rim with power, and create for his teammates in transition. His all-around game has made him one of the most well-rounded prospects in the 2024 class, and he has drawn comparisons to some of the NBA’s top shooting guards, including Booker himself.
By choosing Louisville, Thompson will have the opportunity to grow under a coaching staff that places a strong emphasis on player development. Coach Kenny Payne, a former assistant coach with the NBA’s New York Knicks, is known for his ability to help players improve their skills and transition to the professional level. Payne’s experience working in the NBA is seen as a key asset in helping Thompson develop in a way that aligns with his long-term aspirations.
Louisville’s up-tempo style of play and strong recruiting class for the 2024 season will provide Thompson with ample opportunities to showcase his talents on a national stage. His decision to decommit from the Suns and join the Cardinals is seen as a strategic move to maximize his potential and prepare for what lies ahead in the NBA.
For the Suns, Thompson’s flip is a major setback in their long-term plans. While the Suns still have a talented roster, the loss of such a highly rated prospect could force them to rethink their approach to future recruiting. Phoenix will likely continue its pursuit of top-tier talent in the 2024 draft, but this situation highlights the unpredictable nature of recruiting and how quickly things can change.
As for Thompson, the basketball world will be watching closely to see how his decision plays out at Louisville. With his skills, work ethic, and potential, he is expected to make an immediate impact in the college basketball scene and is projected to be a high lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Thompson’s stunning decommitment and commitment to Louisville is one of the most surprising twists in recent recruiting history, and it sets the stage for what will undoubtedly be an exciting college basketball career. The Phoenix Suns, Celtics, and Cavaliers will now have to adjust their plans, but one thing is certain: Xavier Thompson’s journey is just beginning.
