Xavier's Christon strives for success

Basketball means something different to every person who has ever picked up a ball. It can be love, money, fame, fun or some- times just a game. For Xavier freshman guard Semaj Christon, basketball has
never been just a game. Christon knew from a very young age that basketball was a way of life for him, his dream. "Basketball was a big thing for me growing up. I just try to play hard every day. When it's your dream, you have to get up every day and give it your all," Christon said. It's a dream that's led him from his home- town of Cincinnati to Brewster Academy and back again, all for the game he loved. And if nothing else has been definite for the Musketeers so far this season, one thing has been certain: the game loves him back. Christon averages 14.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He's been named Rookie of the Week by the Atlantic 10 for two consecutive weeks and four times overall. He's set a Xavier record for number of assists in a game by a freshman. Only a few games into his first conference college season, Christon is a player his teammates can rely on. "He gives us an easy boost, especially in transition. He's been knocking down his free throws and closing out games for us. He's been really efficient," sophomore guard Dee Davis said. For Christon, none of his suc- cess on the court comes close to the best part about his freshman year. " A big part of why I came to Xavier was re- ally for my fam- ily. I can see t h e m every day. I don't have to get on a flight to see them, and that's im- portant to me," Christon said. Basketball isn't just a dream for himself; it's a dream his whole family shares for him, a dream that he works hard at day in and day out. "The thing I love about Semaj is that he's always continuing to get better. He's got big time talent, and I love the way he has been progressing. He comes to practice every single day with a workman like attitude. His teammates and coaches have a lot of faith in him," head coach Chris Mack said. For this Xavier freshman, dreams are starting to become reality.