Premierball caught up with Xavier Rathan-Mayes, a Canadian play-making point guard who we consider to be amoung the top 15 prospects in the country.
At six foot-four Rathan-Mayes is considered a shooting guard and has suffered a case of mistaken identity.
Rivals, ESPN and Scout have labeled Rathan-Mayes a shooter and not a play-maker.
Rathan-Mayes is well known for his ability to knock down jumpers at a high rate from all over the floor and for that very same reason it has over shadowed his play-making abilities.
Rathan-Mayes has an elite level passing skill-set and can run a team when given the ball.
Rathan-Mayes was very efficient at the point as evidenced in the Pangos All American Camp last summer where we witnessed Rathan-Mayes hand deliver teammates easy baskets in transition and in the half-court set in a variety of ways versus elite guards in the country.
I’m a firm believer in watching the skill-set not the actual position the prospect is playing.
Coaches, Rathan-Mayes recruiting is red hot but don’t think for a second Rathan-Mayes will come in your program with only a shooting guard’s mentality. Rathan-Mayes has more than just depth shooting — he can handle pressure, create and make his teammates better.
In my eyes, the program who can offer Rathan-Mayes the opportunity to manage a team and run a system we feel will have the best shot at landing this prize five star recruit.
Here is what Rathan-Mayes had to say to PremierBall ,and don’t forget to follow his life on Twitter: @YungBoiMayes
1. What position do you see yourself playing in college?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: In college I see myself playing the point guard only!
2. What is your official height & weight?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: My official height and weight is 6″4 205
3. Do you feel like your game is getting enough recognition from the coaches, scouts and media?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: From the coaches I think my game is getting recognition but I don’t think enough from scouts. I feel that I’m definitely one of the top players in this country. At the same time I like being under rated because it motivates me and I get to prove them all wrong this summer.
4. When you think of college basketball, what are the first five schools that come to mind?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: When I think of college basketball there are really no set 5 teams, there is a whole bunch of great programs that are exciting to watch!
5. Have you been on any unofficial visits or plan on in the near future? If so, with who?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: As of right now I have been on 1 unofficial which was to Kentucky earlier in the year, but I do plan on taking a few more this summer hopefully I can visit Baylor next week wile I’m out in Dallas.
6. Describe your game for coaches and fans that have not seen you up close?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: If I were to describe my game. A player that can create for his teammates and for myself.
7. How was your junior year at Huntington Prep this year? Did you meet all your personal goals?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: My junior year at Huntington Prep was a good year. I was 2nd in assists on the team playing the shooting guard. I wasn’t too happy with what I was ranked. I’m using this all as motivation and I know it will change because of the work I’m putting in and how I’m producing on the court. I’m really focused on showing off my abilities to make my teammates better not just my scoring abilities.
8. What makes you different than most of your high school peers on the court? What makes you special?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: What makes me different is the drive to be great. I just don’t want to be a typical kid that wants to be in the NBA. I want to be great in my work ethic and my mental approach to everything. I don’t think there are too many people that think and see things the way I do.
9. Do you care about playing on a particular side of the country? North, south, east and west?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: No not really, it doesn’t matter what part of the country I play in. I’ve been away from home so long it doesn’t phase me anymore.
10. Do you feel that scouts in general are missing the boat on your play-making abilities because of your jump-shot?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Yeah sometimes because a lot of people know me for my scoring ability and when they come to see me play that’s what they watch. I strongly feel I’m a very underrated play maker that can create for teammates at an elite level. Most folks don’t know my favorite basketball player is Derron Williams. I love his ability to create and find open teammates.
11. Name the schools that are recruiting you the hardest.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: I wouldn’t say that there is any one school that is recruiting me the hardest. There are many that are recruiting me at a high level.
12. Give us the break down on what your goals are off the court?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Keep becoming a better person each and everyday. I love giving back to the youth on and off the floor. To get an excellent education.
13. What type of playing style are you comfortable with?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: I’m comfortable with being able to get up and down the floor at a fast pace. Please not too many sets ..lol. I wanna be able to go out and make plays for my teammates in transition.
14. What AAU team are you playing for this spring/ summer?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: This spring\ summer I’m playing with CIA Bounce.
15. What part of your game do you feel you need to improve on the most?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: The part of my game that I feel I probably need to work on the most is my explosiveness. When I get that, the sky is the limit.
16. Do you have a Facebook or a Twitter that you would like to share with us?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Yeah my FB is Xavier Rathan Mayes, and my twitter is @yungboimayes
17. What coaches have impressed your parents over the phone and in person and why?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: There is really no specific coaches but my mom likes a few of them.
18. Share with us your best game of the year either high school or AAU.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: My best game this year was probably in our first aau tournament in Milwaukee, we were down 15 and I felt like my team needed a boost, I went over to Ty Ennis and told him I wasn’t going to miss a shot and we ended up winning by 3. I finished with 41 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds.
19. Who are some of the mentors that got you to where you are at right now?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: My 2 main mentors are my Mom and Dad. My Mom is the one who motivates me with all my school work and life. My game comes from my Dad! He’s been where I want to go and has taught me so many things.
20. How hard do you work on your game? How much time do you put in?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: I don’t think there are too many kids out there that work harder then me. Everyday after school we have workouts and then I normally come back to the gym with one of my bros and shoot. I kill myself in the weight room and on the floor so when game time comes that stuff is easy and its just a matter of repetition. I pride myself in working hard on my game.
21. When did you first pick up a ball?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: First time I had a basketball in my hands was when I was born, my aunty put one in my hands and its never left since then.
22. What are your short term goals as a basketball player?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Short term goals are probably just getting better every single day. My senior year being an All American and top 10 in my class.
23. What are some of your long term goals as a basketball player?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Long term goals are to be make it to the league and be one of the best players to play the game of basketball.
24. We noticed you got the ball on a string and love to create. Do you love to shoot or do you love to pass off the dribble break down?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Deep down inside my heart I love creating plays and opportunities for teammates first. Because of the way I can score in bunches I have been known to shoot and score which is natural for me.
25. Are you Nike or adidas, what’s your favorite?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Don’t really matter to me both.
26. What gets your game rocking and on point?
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: The big stage. When you know the lights are on and you gotta perform that’s what I live for.
27. Give your family, friends and fans shout-outs on Premierball.com.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Shoutout to my whole family for putting me in the position that I’m in today and never doubting me. And shoutout to all my boys back home love all of ya!