Korean Canadian Superstar Xaivian Lee is Setting the Basketball World On Fire in 2025

Lee was honored to train with Lin. During an interview between the two, Lee spoke on his “vivid memory” of Lin’s buzzer-beater against the Toronto Raptors that has become one of the most famous plays in modern NBA history. He felt like he identified with some of the challenges of becoming a phenom in 2023-24, saying that while his life did not really change, the external characterization of it did.

It kind of felt like my year last year was like, not a mini version of [Linsanity] but just kind of stuff happening so quickly it’s like, you’re the same person you were two weeks ago but like, the whole world thinks something different of you all of a sudden.

The media company AMAZN HQ recently released a documentary on Lee, fittingly titled “LEENSANITY.” With the goal of inspiring and celebrating Asian athletes, the documentary is available on YouTube and showcases Lee’s rise to stardom.

Xaivian Lee Has Found a New Level in 2025

After a disappointing loss in the NIT to end the previous year, Lee was ready to go for the 2024-25 season. He had a scorching 27 points in Princeton’s season opener against Iona, which the Tigers won 81-80. In December, he went toe-to-toe with presumed #2 draft pick Dylan Harper in a famous win over Rutgers. While Harper had an impressive 22 points, Lee more then held his own with 21 and 11 assists.

Lee has elevated his overall game in 2025. He’s maintained his averages of around 17 points per game and 5.5 rebounds as well as increased his assists per game to 5.4. His well-rounded game has led to some dazzling stat-lines this season, none more prominent than his 18-13-10 triple-double against St. Joseph’s, the first triple-double in Princeton men’s basketball history.

Lee has continued to make unbelievable highlight plays during Princeton’s seven-game win streak. Each of their last two wins required late-game heroics from the junior. Down 78-80 on the road against Dartmouth on Saturday, Lee got the ball with around ten seconds left and buried a step-back three to win the game for the Tigers.

However, Lee was far from done. It was only two more days before his next game-winner, this time hitting a go-ahead step-back three against Colombia on Monday to make the score 69-67. Princeton soon won the game 71-67 after being down 15 late in the second half. Lee had 19-9-9 in a near-triple-double. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime long weekend for Lee.

The Tigers dropped their next game against Cornell, but Lee once again delivered a masterclass performance, going for 19 points on 7-16 from the floor. At 14-5, the Tigers are second the Ivy League standings and have a home showdown with league-leading Yale on Friday.

Why NBA Scouts Have High Hopes For Xaivian Lee

Lee’s incredible talents are earning him strong consideration for the 2025 NBA Draft. A recent mock draft by Bleacher Report had him landing in the second round. His all-around skillset is undeniable, but there are multiple key things that make Lee an attractive prospect.

Firstly, Lee’s three-ball has reached new heights this year. While he was just a 22% shooter as a freshman, Lee is currently 39.4% from range on the season. He has shown great capability off the dribble in addition to catch-and-shoot. This improvement has unlocked what is perhaps the most appealing part of his game.

Lee has demonstrated that he is an elite creator, ruthlessly taking advantage of any opportunities that the Princeton offense creates for him. He is one of the best in the country at attacking closeouts, and his lethal shooting from deep will only continue to make this part of the game easier for him. Despite his smaller frame, he has shown craft at scoring the ball in the lane and fantastic vision to find easy shots for teammates after beating his defender.

Advanced analytics support the eye-test. Analysis by the Swish Theory’s Roshan Potluri dove into Lee’s 148 spot-up possessions over the past two seasons, which is any possession where Lee receives the ball with a defender closing out to him. He is shooting 38% from three on these possessions and is scoring 0.966 points per. His ability to capitalize in advantageous situations with nifty finishing and tremendous passing vision are what NBA teams covet. Even is he does not project as a primary ball-handler in an NBA currently dominated by bigger guards and wings, his ability to be a floor spacer and a secondary creator makes him a unique prospect.

Princeton has a long way to go to to make it back to March, but Xaivian Lee is as qualified as anyone to restore their Ivy League crown and eventually become the next Asian NBA star.