Men's Basketball Welcomes Five Talented Newcomers as Class of 2026
10/28/2022
PRINCETON, N.J. – The defending Ivy League Champion Princeton University men’s basketball team have announced five talented newcomers as its Class of 2026, as announced by Franklin C. Cappon-Edward C. Green ’40 Head Coach Mitch Henderson.
The Tigers, who open the 2022-23 season against Hofstra at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 7, inside Jadwin Gymnasium, welcome Xaivian Lee, Deven Austin, Jack Scott, Caden Pierce and Vernon Collins to a group that will look to repeat as Ivy League Champions.
“We can’t overstate how excited we are about the class of 2026,” said Henderson. “This is a well-rounded class with talent and personality. Hailing from Toronto to North Carolina, the future of our program is in good hands with this group of freshmen.”
Xaivian Lee
#4 | Guard | 6-3 | Toronto Canada / Perkiomen School
Before Princeton: Canadian National Invitational Tournament MVP (2022) … NHSCA Academic All-American … State Champion Runner Up … Phi Beta Kappa (Senior Academic & Integrity) Award … Cum Laude Society Inductee
Personal: Son of Eun-Kyung Lee & Daniel Bernstein … majoring in economics
From the Coach: “We are very excited about what Xaivian brings to our team. He has a unique ability to get downhill and create shots for himself and others. He is as talented as they come with the ball in his hands.”
Deven Austin
#13 | Guard | 6-6 | Vernon, Conn./Wilbraham and Monson Academy
Before Princeton: Won NEPSAC AA Championship sophomore year … Two-year varsity captain, All NEPSAC senior year … recipient of Phil Shaw Award (Best student athlete).
Personal: Son of Dhlama and Steven Austin … used to play the piano … majoring in economics
From the Coach: “What separates Deven is his big-time athleticism. He is a fluid athlete that gets it done on both sides of the floor and plays above the rim. Deven’s length makes him versatile and the sky is the limit for what he can be for Princeton Basketball.”
Jack Scott
#5 |Guard | 6-6 | Denver, Colo. / Hun School
Before Princeton: 21-22 Trentonian Prep Player of the Year … 2021-22 First Team All-MAPL … Hoopgroup Showcase League First Team … averaged a double-double his junior and senior years ... led the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals as a senior ... 2022 First Team Spring Jam Fest ... Prep A First Team junior and senior year ... graduated Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA
Personal: Son of Joe and Leah Scott ... father Joe was a player, assistant coach, and coach at Princeton is now head coach at Air Force ... his mother Leah also played at Princeton, and ranks second all-time in assists ... has one brother, Ben ... major is undecided
From the Coach: “Jack has the confidence and poise of a much more experienced player. He has a natural leadership quality that successful Princeton guards in the past have had. He is an excellent passer with a great feel for the game”
Caden Pierce
#12 | Forward | 6-6 | Glenn Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West
Before Princeton: 2022 Class 4A IHSA State Basketball Championship - 37-1 and top-10 nationally ranked team by MaxPreps … 2x All State Basketball, 8th in Illinois Mr. Basketball voting … 2x First Team All-Conference Basketball … Chicago Sun Times All Area selection … 2x Daily Herald All Area selection … All-Time Assists leader at Glenbard West High School … All-Time Steals leader at Glenbard West High School … 17U Under Armor National Champion with Illinois Wolves … 2x All Conference Golfer … Team fourth-place finish in State Golf Tournament 2021 … Team fifth-place finish in State Golf Tournament 2019 … IHSA All State Academic Team - one of 13 boys in the state recognized for this award … National Honor Society … Illinois State Scholar
Personal: Greg Pierce (dad) played football at Northwestern, Stephanie Pierce (mom) played volleyball at Northwestern … Justin Pierce (brother) played three years of college basketball at William and Mary, graduated in three years and transferred to University of North Carolina for final year and played under Roy Williams, now plays professional basketball overseas … Alec Pierce (Brother) is a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts and was a second round pick in the 2022 NFL draft who played at University of Cincinnati … majoring in computer science
From the Coach: “Cade comes from a family of big-time athletes and his natural feel for the game is what stands out. His ability to move at his size makes him ultra-versatile. Cade is competitive and makes winning plays”
Vernon Collins
#33 | Forward | 6-10 | Chocowinity, N.C./Greensboro Day School
Before Princeton: State Champopnships Runner Up 21-22 … Most Improved in the State 21-22 … Member of the National Honors Society 19-22
Personal: Son of Malveata and Vernon Collins … mother played at NC A&T and is a member of the Hall of Fame … brother of Victorian, Trey and Victory Collins … majoring in Political Science … four-year honor roll student, highest honors freshman year and fall trimester of senior year.
From the Coach: “CJ is a smart and coachable big-man that can be a disruptive defender. His ability to move and his length will be a safety blanket for the other four defenders on the floor. When he runs the floor he will be a tough matchup for the bigs in our league”
